Structural Materials

"The Wilcox report released today into the transfer of the office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC) into Fair Work Australia recognises that the building industry reform process remains incomplete.

Statement by Heather Ridout
Chief Executive Australian Industry Group

"The Wilcox report released today into the transfer of the office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC) into Fair Work Australia recognises that the building industry reform process remains incomplete and that as a result there is a need for distinct approaches to be adopted for the industry," Australian Industry Group Chief Executive Heather Ridout said today.

"This is a major and important finding which once and for all strongly refutes the arguments constantly put by the ACTU and the construction unions that the construction industry should not be treated as a special case.

"The Hon Murray Wilcox has taken on board many employer concerns," she said.

"It is sensible to locate the Specialist Division which will replace the ABCC in 2010 within the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman and that it will be given its own Director and dedicated funding. This is consistent with Ai Group's submissions.

"The compulsory interrogation powers of the ABCC have been extremely important and we are pleased that the report has recommended that they be retained in the new Specialist Division. However, it is also important that the additional safeguards proposed in the report associated with the Division's investigative role are workable. While some additional safeguards may be appropriate, we need to ensure that the safeguards don’t unduly impede the Division in carrying out its important role.

"There are other areas that may need to be strengthened particularly in relations to rules and penalties. We will examine these in further detail with a view to putting recommendations to the Government.

"While we agree that the special provisions applying to people working in the construction industry may be able to be removed at some point in the future, this should not occur until there is sustained and genuine cultural change in the industry and its conduct reflects the standards of contemporary Australian society.

"The ABCC has played a major role in creating the relative harmony and lawful behaviour that exists in the construction industry today. The construction industry has delivered projects on time and on budget as well as high income for workers throughout the ABCC's period of operation and it is important these gains are preserved.

"Justice Wilcox acknowledges the positive role that the Code and Guidelines has played and it is important that those benefits are not lost in any future review. It is the industry's very strong view that the Code be retained as a critical commercial discipline against unproductive behaviour on both sides," Mrs Ridout said.

Source : Australian Industry Group