Interview with Andy Park, ABC RN Drive

Event: Interview with Andy Park, ABC RN Drive
Date: 13 August 2024, 5:15pm AEST
Speakers: Denita Wawn, CEO Master Builders Australia
Topics: CFMEU administration
E&OE

Andy Park, host ABC RN Drive: Well, the Federal Parliament is also arguing over the future of one of the country’s most powerful unions this week. While the government wants to push through legislation that will see parts of the CFMEU forced into administration, its passage could be delayed with the Coalition calling for the bill to be scrutinised first by a parliamentary inquiry. The CFMEU is facing a barrage of allegations, including bullying and intimidation, and there are calls for more senior members to resign. It comes amid claims that actions taken by the union are adding to Australia’s spiralling housing crisis. Let’s talk about that. Denita Wawn is the CEO of the Master Builders Australia. Welcome to Drive.

Denita Wawn, CEO Master Builders Australia: Good afternoon.

Andy: What do you think about this idea of a parliamentary inquiry first? What do you think the Coalition are wanting to achieve here?

Denita: We appreciate that the Coalition wants to ensure that legislation is robust and there’s been adequate consideration of legislation. We understand that. Nevertheless, our industry has been in a state of flux since the government announced that they would use either the core process or the parliamentary process to appoint an independent administrator. There is increasing anxiety on the ground that that has yet to be resolved. And if the Coalition wants to support the industry, we are imploring them to pass this legislation by the end of this sitting period, which is at the end of next week. And if an inquiry is necessary, then let’s do it expeditiously for a day or two. This is only the first of many steps that will be required. It is a narrow component of what is required, but it’s an important first step that needs to be implemented as quickly as possible.

Andy: Do you think this legislation will be effective in its current form? I mean without more scrutiny.

Denita: Well, the legislation is very simplistic. It requires the appointment of an administrator over a period of time for a scheme to be implemented. We already know the premises of the scheme given it’s already before the Federal Court, and as such it is very simplistic legislation. There can be some minor amendments to satisfy the Coalitions’ concern, but that could be easily negotiated with the Federal Government without the need for an inquiry. We say we’ve had four royal commissions and multiple inquiries and about 2,000-odd cases before the courts over decades. There’s been enough time for inquiries, and we’re now asking for action. But if the Coalition is seeking an inquiry, then we ask that it is done very expeditiously to ensure the legislation is completed and passed by the end of next week.

Andy: So are you in contact with the Government or the Coalition about the legislation and what you’d like to see in it?

Denita: Absolutely. We have been discussing with the Government this legislation, amongst other things, since this issue arose and likewise we are in discussion also with the Coalition and crossbenchers. Everyone understands the importance of ensuring that we have a lawful, appropriate union for the construction industry and something needs to be done after decades and decades of this issue being used as a political football. So, enough talk, it’s needing action and certainly that is what we are asking today. It’s an important first step, there is more to be done. We recognise. But the Coalition has got to start that journey with us rather than forcing us into uncertainty for months.

Andy: Michaelia Cash has said CFMEU should be deregistered but you’ve said before that history has shown us that deregistration of a construction union doesn’t work and what’s needed is long term lasting cultural change. Can you just talk to me more about this and how you believe that change could be achieved exactly?

Denita: Well, I think it’s a really good example of the HSU when an administrator was appointed that there’s been, you know, changes that have been implemented there. But for us deregistration last time didn’t work. We think we need an administrator there to change the governance, change the people. But more importantly, that new union, once it comes out of administration, needs to be controlled with appropriate laws around criminal activity, around competitive activity and also industrial relations. And of course, that is not just the issue around unions, but it’s the nature of the industry at large, which four royal commissioners have indicated that the nature of the industry requires greater regulation of all players in the system, and we are arguing for a super regulator to be implemented prior to the conclusion of administration to ensure that appropriate measures are in place, as has been required and recommended by four royal commissions.

Andy: The CEO of the Master Builders Australia Denita Wawn is with me on Drive. We’re talking about the future of the CFMEU. It’s 21 minutes past five. Let’s look at jobs. You want the government to bring in skilled migrants in the construction sector to sort of help alleviate the housing shortage, but construction workers are in fact excluded from the government’s new fast track visas. Independent MP, Allegra Spender spoke to RN Breakfast about this last week. Take a. Listen.

David Lipson, host RN Breakfast: Why do you think the government is not bringing them in?

Allegra Spender, Member for Wentworth: I’m really concerned. I don’t know. They have not given us a good reason and you know my real concern is that this is some sort of vested interest, you know, potentially the CFMEU or others who have put pressure on the government to exclude the construction industry.

Andy: What’s your view on this? Has the CFMEU or others that you know of had influence on the visa list? Is that impacting current housing issues in your view?

Denita: Well, we know that the CFMEU with the current officials are very anti-immigration. Which is very disappointing given that 25 per cent of our current workforce are migrants. We are concerned, as with Ms Spender, that there has been undue influence. We don’t have any evidence of that, but it does not make sense that we know that there are multiple shortages around the country of construction workers particularly trades and yet we were not put on the priority list. So, we are hoping that with a new Immigration Minister that things will change along with our discussions with the Skills Minister in that we will see a change in the ultimate outcome for skilled migration. We’ve also called for a specialist skilled tradies visa, which is similar to New Zealand, the UK and Canada, our competitors in ensuring that we can get fast-tracked tradies. We want to ensure that we maintain the quality of tradespeople, and if they need additional training, then we should assist them as well. But it is critical that we resolve labour shortages. It’s one of the reasons why costs of building have increased by 30 to 40 per cent over the last five years.

Andy: We’ll have to leave it there. CEO of the Master Builders Australia, Denita Wawn thanks for your time this afternoon.

Denita: Pleasure. Thank you, Andy.

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