Mandate for ABCC

“The election of the Turnbull Government and its electoral mandate provides a unique opportunity to recast the policy narrative and deliver stable government for the next three years,” Wilhelm Harnisch, CEO of Master Builders Australia said.

“That mandate clearly includes bringing back the ABCC which was the issue the double dissolution election was called on,” he said.

“This election highlighted the many policy challenges facing the nation, including calls for more investment in our hospitals and medical services, education and to improving the liveability of our cities and towns as measures to secure Australia’s high standard of living into the future,” Wilhelm Harnisch said.

“Also highlighted is the dilemma facing our community which does not want to pay more tax but expects the Government to tackle the nation’s debt and deficit problems,” he said.

“While there are no simple solutions, lowering the capital cost of constructing our hospitals, schools and roads is a good start and an easy one in meeting the aspirations and needs of our community,” Wilhelm Harnisch said.

“The community has rights and those rights can be enhanced by laws that will lower the cost of construction, laws that will reinstate the powers of the ABCC. They worked in favour of the community before they will again in the future,” Wilhelm Harnisch said.

“Master Builders is asking the members of the newly elected Parliament to focus on meeting the needs of the community when they examine the ABCC Bills and not be swayed by the indefensible arguments put by the CFMEU and the ETU in particular,” he said.

“There have been three Royal Commissions including the recent Heydon Royal Commission that have all provided the irrefutable evidence of a corrosive and unlawful culture among the building unions. This is further backed by irrefutable evidence in court convictions and penalties that have been have imposed over the last decade and continue to the present day. These are facts and not fiction,” Wilhelm Harnisch said.

“The reality remains that the building unions, particularly the CFMEU, have shown no willingness or ability to tackle the culture of unlawful behaviour,” he said.

“This is why Master Builders will work constructively not only with the Government but also with the new Parliament in putting the case for the re-establishment of the ABCC,” Wilhelm Harnisch said.