Master Builders Australia weighs in on the ABCC debate
Master Builders Australia has renewed its call for the return of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC), due to the seriousness of the allegations currently being discussed in the media.
Master Builders Australia CEO Wilhelm Harnisch said that the allegations of corruption and criminality are outside of the community’s expectations and therefore there must be an inquiry to get to the truth.
“Such an inquiry is essential to safeguard all parties in the building industry, the community and the Australian economy,” Harnisch said.
“These allegations also illustrate how the behaviour of building unions holds back the productivity of the construction sector to the detriment of the Australian community,” he said.
He noted that while the ABCC did not have the powers to act directly against criminal behavior, its presence on building sites was successful in suppressing coercion and intimation.
“In the light of these new allegations, the Senate must respect the mandate of the Abbott government to restore the ABCC and immediately pass the bills restoring the industry watchdog equipped with the powers necessary to supress industrial thuggery,” he said.