The same tough rules should apply to everyone. No free passes for unions, no free passes for employers.
That is why the Civil Contractors Federation is pursuing reforms through the National Construction Industry Forum to lift standards, improve culture, and drive better behaviour on worksites across Australia.
We support the creation of an independent construction regulator with the power to oversee both unions and employers. The regulator must have real authority to act to receive complaints, investigate breaches of industrial laws such as breaches of Right of Entry, and scrutinise procurement practices. No one should be above the rules.
We also want the fit and proper person test strengthened and expanded. At present, an officer can be banned from holding a permit but still sit in a union office. That is unacceptable. If you’re not fit and proper, you shouldn’t be running a union or a construction business.
Tougher, clearer standards are needed, and failure to meet them must mean automatic disqualification for a period of time.
For example, the existing criteria should be expanded to include evidence of previous threatening or menacing behaviour including intimidation.
These reforms – and others we are pursuing through the NCIF will help build a construction industry that is
fairer, safer, and more accountable for everyone.
