Interview with Stephen Cenatiempo, 2CC Radio Canberra

Event: Interview with Stephen Cenatiempo, 2CC Radio Canberra
Date: 13 August2024, 8.35am AEST
Speakers: Denita Wawn, CEO Master Builders Australia
Topics: CFMEU administration legislation

E&OE

Stephen Cenatiempo, 2CC Radio Host: New legislation will go before the Parliament this week to place the construction and general division branches of the CFMEU into administration. The Master Builders Australia have welcomed the legislation and say it’s an important first step to ridding the industry of toxic and law-breaking culture. However, the Opposition and the Greens don’t seem to agree with that. Denita Wawn is the CEO of the Master Builders Australia and joins us now. Denita, good morning.

Denita Wawn, CEO Master Builders Australia: Good morning.

Stephen: I spoke to Angus Taylor about this earlier this morning, and he’s, his view is that the legislation doesn’t go far enough, because it allows the Minister to cancel it unilaterally at any time. So, if they were placed into administration, and Labor wins the next election, the administration would end is that, well, is the risk. Are you not concerned about that?

Denita: No, we’re not, because the Prime Minister all the way through to many Ministers have said that it is time to clean up the toxic nature of this union, which we have been calling for for decades. And as such, this legislation is an important first step. And I stress ‘first step’. This is going to be years of processes. We are seeking multiple pieces of legislation, and this is one that we want as quickly as possible. If this goes a day longer, the industry is held at peril in this transition state. So, we say to the Coalition and the Greens, pass this legislation this week. It is a first step amongst many.

Stephen: But why isn’t it a better idea just to deregister this union and create legislation that makes sure that whatever replaces it doesn’t turn into this monster again, like it did when the BLF was deregistered?

Denita: Well, the reason why we had problems with the BLF being deregistered was because we didn’t get rid of the problem people. And the administration is all about maintaining a union to represent workers, which is the right of the workers, to then have proper administration, but we need to go further. The nature of the industry dictates that there are ongoing problems. Four royal commissions have all said we need special laws and special oversight. And to be honest, the ABCC was great, but it didn’t go far enough, it did not have enough teeth to it, to ensure that all players in the industry are doing the right thing. So, we say administration is the first step, it needs to be done as quickly as possible, the industry is in a state of flux until it happens, and then we need a debate around business protections, witness protections, and also the need for a super regulator.

Stephen: So, let’s talk about that super regulator, though, because if you say the ABCC didn’t go far enough, this government’s not going to institute something with more power. They’re very adamant that they don’t want to replace, don’t want to replace the ABCC at all. So, what happens at the end of this administration?

Denita: Well, from our perspective, Stephen, if this government doesn’t want to appoint a super administrator, then we will be calling, as an election commitment from all political parties, a commitment to that super regulator, and then the industry will be informed accordingly. As I said, this legislation is critical. We disagree strongly with deregistration. We have to have administration, and we need it now to give the industry certainty.

Stephen: Tell me about this super regulator. What powers would it have that the ABCC didn’t have?

Denita: Well, the ABCC only focused on industrial relations laws, which, let’s – to be honest, are at the peripheral of the bigger problems of criminal behaviour and anti-competitive behaviour. There was a lack of organisation between all forces of the police force, both at a federal and state level. From our perspective, you have a regulator that has a multi-agency, police unit, you look at competition laws, you look at industrial relations laws, and you look at safety laws, to ensure that all actors in the supply chain are doing the right thing. We know our industry needs it; four royal commissions have said so.

Stephen: Yeah, look, I don’t disagree with you that something needs to be done. I’m just, you know, I think scrap the thing and start again is the best way to go. But I understand your concerns about that. What response have you had so far? I mean, at the, as we stand, the Coalition’s position seems to be in favour of deregistration. Have you had any breakthroughs with them?

Denita: No, not as yet. We are advocating with them at the moment, and certainly it’s disappointing to date that they are not listening to the industry. They’re not listening to the people on the ground that are saying we want administration, not deregistration. And I think that is disappointing. We hope that they’d listened to us this week as this legislation goes through parliament.

Stephen: Denita always good to talk to you. Thanks for your time this morning.

Denita: Thank you

Stephen: Denita Wawn is the CEO of Master Builders Australia.

Media contact:
Dee Zegarac
National Director, Media & Public Affairs
0400 493 071
dee.zegarac@masterbuilders.com.au