Moves to abolish the Australian Building and Construction Commission and replace it with an equally effective Fair Work – Building Industry Inspectorate have gained ground, with the Federal Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Julia Gillard, saying she will propose changes to legislation to ensure the Inspectorate has the powers to do its job.
Ms Gillard said the legislation was part of the Government’s commitment to abolish the ABCC.
Power play for ABCC replacement
She said existing coercive powers would be maintained with the new Fair Work – Building Industry Inspectorate, along with safeguards recommended by former Federal Court judge Murray Wilcox.
Under the amendments, the Minister would have the power to direct the Building Inspectorate about the allocation of resources, ensuring they were targeted effectively to combat unlawful behaviour in the building industry and ensure those who broke the law faced “tough and decisive” action.
Ms Gillard said this would target the “unlawful” industrial action taking place in the north of Western Australia.
Other changes include giving the Director of the Building Inspectorate the power to intervene in proceedings for contempt of Court where building industry participants do not comply with a court order, and to take action against them.
“The changes should send a signal to those who would break the law in the building industry that there will be repercussions,” Ms Gillard said.
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