Australia held to ransom without a construction regulator

The H.R. Nicholls Society is calling for the reestablishment of a construction industry regulator following reported threats from CFMEU Victorian leader John Setka to impose a “work to rule” campaign against the AFL. 

This campaign is reportedly in response to the appointment of former Australian Building and Construction Commissioner Stephen McBurney as the AFL’s head of umpiring.

Society President Frank Parry KC said it was “predictable” that abolishing the ABCC would affect large-scale construction projects.

"I am not surprised to see a campaign to disrupt large-scale projects in the absence of a regulator," Mr Parry said.

"The ABCC was responsible for ensuring the building and construction industry conducted itself according to the law. 

“Through its work, the CFMEU was found to have contravened workplace laws on a number of occasions and was thus penalised by the Courts.

“But it is a disgraceful turn of events that those involved in the function of the Commission are now subject to threats to their careers.

“If the CFMEU has issues with penalties as a result of its members or officials contravening workplace laws, it needs to take up its disputes through the Courts - not with an individual who was just doing their job.

“Today’s conduct supports our call for a body to regulate the construction industry - without it, we can expect to see more and more major projects disrupted and Australia’s productivity decline further.”

Former Australian Building and Construction Commissioner John Lloyd PSM, now Senior Research Fellow with the Society, said today’s tactics were “compelling proof that the abolition of the ABCC was a mistake”. 

“The construction industry is now characterised by excessive wage and conditions entitlements, low productivity, cost blowouts, threats and standover tactics.” 

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