Building unions must stop threats

Master Builders Australia condemns the threats made by some building union officials against ABCC inspectors and their families, and supports referrals to police and law enforcement agencies.

“We also call on the leadership of the union movement to condemn such conduct and acknowledge that it is unacceptable,” Denita Wawn, CEO of Master Builders Australia said.

“The threats show utter contempt for our community and its values. Many people will rightly be shocked by this appalling conduct, but this kind of bullying is the building union’s stock in trade and occurs every day on the nation’s building sites,” she said.

“It is exactly this kind of behaviour that spurred the Parliament to bring back the ABCC and establish the new building code to restore the rule of law to the construction sector,” Denita Wawn said.

“Master Builders calls on building unions to publicly commit to allowing government inspectors and regulators to be free from harassment, intimidation and other unlawful behaviour when on building sites and when not at work,” she said.

“While it is gratifying to see political leaders distance themselves from the building union threats, bullying and intimidation Master Builders wants a commitment that the ABCC will be maintained to protect the interests of the community,” Denita Wawn said.

“Building union leaders also threatened to target community infrastructure projects with industrial action. Without the ABCC, schools, roads and hospitals are delayed and disrupted and taxpayers and the community pay up to 30% more than they should,” she said.

“The ABCC will ensure that building unions operate like normal unions and that construction workplaces can operate like every other workplace. The law is the law and no one is above it,” Denita Wawn said.