The Federal Government has introduced laws to reinstate the Australian Building Construction Commission (ABCC), which was scrapped in 2012 by Labor after seven years of operation.

Leader of the House Christopher Pyne said that the construction industry watchdog was required to maintain the rule of law on worksites and improve productivity.

“While the ABCC existed, construction industry productivity grew by nine per cent,” Pyne told question time.

He added that consumers were better off by $7.5 billion annually, while fewer working days were lost to industrial action with the commission in place.

The coalition has long campaigned for the ABCC’s re-establishment, claiming its absence had led to a return in union militancy and a spike in industry disputes.

The role of the ABCC was to monitor and promote appropriate standards of conduct throughout the building and construction industry, in accordance with the Building and Construction Industry Improvement Act 2005 (BCII Act), the Fair Work Act 2009 (FW Act) and the National Code of Practice for the Construction Industry (National Code).

This was achieved by educating industry participants about appropriate conduct, and investigating suspected contraventions of workplace laws, federal agreements, awards and orders of Fair Work Australia.

“The coalition government wholeheartedly believes that workers deserve to be able to go to work each day without the fear of being harassed, intimidated or the subject of violence," Pyne told the House of Representatives.

Employment minister Eric Abetz added that the changes would encourage high levels of employment in the construction sector, and keep major national projects on track.

If passed, the legislation will allow the ABCC to separate legitimate protests from unlawful and organised picketing aimed at disrupting building and construction work.

Debate on the Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Bill 2013 was adjourned in the House of Representatives on Thursday, with the government tabling plans for a Senate inquiry to report back on the bills by 2 December.

Lead image: skynews.com.au

Geraldine Chua

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