A strong plan to stop corruption in the building sector

22 March 2026

Master Builders Australia, representing over 32,000 builders, has released its plan to stop corruption in Australia’s building and construction sector following a renewed round of evidence exposing the scandals of the CMFEU pre-Administration.

Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn laid out the necessary Federal Government actions required to permanently remove criminal elements and bad actors from the building and construction industry.

“We have consistently said that the Administration of the CFMEU was the first step, not the only step to resolving the problems that have plagued the industry.  Now that Administration has been embedded, we call upon the Federal Government to step up and focus on the next steps,” said Ms Wawn.

Master Builders’ six-point plan for the Federal Government, based on the findings of past royal commissions, investigations and court judgements:

1. The CFMEU Administration and its oversight must continue through to the full 5 years, in 2029.
2. Whistleblowers must feel safe to call these criminals out, with long overdue improvements to witness protections.
3. Productivity destroying clauses in enterprise agreements must be banned, such as provisions that limit flexibility in Rostered Days Off or essentially give unions veto power over subcontractor selection.
4. Competition laws must be reformed to apply in the industrial context, to stop secondary boycotts and cartel like behaviour that is used for an industrial purpose.
5. Enhance a ‘fit and proper person test’ so bad actors don’t come back to the construction industry or show up in other industries, with stricter rules applied to the disqualification of officials for breaking the law.
6. Establish an industry-specific compliance and enforcement agency with cross-jurisdictional policing, resourced appropriately with the necessary powers to enforce the law and target and eradicate corrupt and criminal behaviour.

“We all know that more needs to be done. This six-point plan is based on robust investigations and findings of past legal processes including royal commissions, reviews and inquiries. We know that developing, legislating and implementing reform takes time, and the time to start this next tranche of work is today.

“The Federal Government must ensure there is agreement as to what clear, high standard pre-conditions are required and fully embedded before Administration is eventually lifted.

“Criminal behaviour cannot be accepted in today’s Australia, and it cannot be repeated. There is no place for crime, corruption or coercion in Australia’s building and construction industry,” concluded Ms Wawn.

Media contact: Dylan Hafey, Media Advisor

0497 330 064 | dylan.hafey@masterbuilders.com.au