Interview with Kieran Gilbert, Sky News

Event: Interview with Kieran Gilbert, Sky News
Date: 13 August 2024, 1:40pm AEST
Speakers: Denita Wawn, CEO Master Builders Australia
Topics: CFMEU administration

E&OE

Kieran Gilbert, Sky News Host: Let’s return now to the discussion around the CFMEU. I’m joined by the Master Builders Australia chief executive, Denita Wawn. Denita, how important is it that the legislation passes the Parliament this week imposing administrators upon the embattled union?

Denita Wawn, CEO Master Builders Australia: It’s critical, Kieran, every single day counts. At the moment, there is massive uncertainty on the ground. We desperately need this legislation passed, preferably this week, and certainly no later than next week’s sittings. It is imperative this first step, that we get the administrator on board to resolve the problems that we have been facing for decades. We say it’s a first step, there are a lot more to be done, but this is a problem that has occurred for decades, and as such, it’s going to take us some time to put together all the facets that we will need. But Master Builders Australia is calling on the Coalition to put down the political football and pass this legislation as quickly as possible.

Kieran: The Coalition say they want greater transparency. They want the administrators to report back to Parliament to have greater coverage in terms of the Parliament’s power over this process. Do you believe that they, it’s fine they should move amendments along those lines, but be done with it after their vote and just get this in place, as opposed to going to a Senate committee?

Denita: There is no need for a Senate committee on this issue. We know the reasoning behind the legislation that has been obvious to the Australian public for the last couple of weeks now. It’s been known by the industry for decades. If there are amendments, minor amendments to be made, that satisfies the Coalition’s concerns around transparency and timeframes, then let’s do that as quickly as possible. There is no need for an inquiry for that. We are certainly looking for further legislation around business protection, around a super regulator, but the time for that debate is not now, the critical thing for the industry is an administrator in to enable us to get on with the job of building for Australians.

Kieran: And you see that, as you alluded to in your first answer, that is a first step, and then if the Coalition and others want to continue, and I’m sure you’re of this view as well, there needs to be more reform to ensure that industry and that union is cleaned up once and for all.

Denita: Absolutely, we know that deregistration does not work. That is the reason why we’ve been calling for an administrator. But this is a first step. There have been four royal commissions that have given consistent recommendations about what to do for our sector, and all of those recommendations talk about cleaning up the toxic culture of the individuals involved. They talk about protections for business, and they talk about special laws for our industry, and that’s not just in relation to industrial relations rules. We need to ensure that there is an oversight, to ensure that we are behaving legally, that we are not being anti-competitive, and that we’re following the industrial relations law. So that’s much bigger than the ABCC. We’re talking about a super regulator. But that debate is not for now. That is for further discussions with the political parties. This week is all about the administrator, and that is what we’re saying to the Coalition. Pass this legislation now, the industry does not want an inquiry. Get on with it.

Kieran: Denita Wawn, thanks. Talk to you soon.

Denita: Thank you.

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