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{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationChanges to penalties and union right...a risk to the residential building industry?
Changes to penalties and union right...a risk to the residential building industry?
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“The majority of businesses in the residential building industry are small businesses, they are the engine room of the Australian economy and are essential to ensuring the building of the homes Australia needs.
“The Bill proposes increasing penalties for non-serious breaches of workplace laws from $187,800 to nearly $1 million. This is excessive. The red tape and regulatory burden on business is significant, broad ranging and often businesses come unstuck due to the sheer volume of rules and requirements.
“Further, new rights for unions to talk with their members, and potential members, about IR issues and to have reasonable and unobstructed access to workplaces to talk about these matters is a red flag.
“Employee representatives already have a range of powers and rights, it is concerning the Bill appears to shift the dial in a way that would expand existing arrangements. These provisions should be removed from the Bill.
“A desire to close ‘loopholes’ should not also mean unwarranted and unjustified interference in the operation of a business,” added Ms Martin.
“Intentional rule breakers should be held accountable, but businesses must be supported to thrive and grow. The residential building industry is already facing a series of challenges from delays to price increases and skill shortages. The role of Government should be to let business do business, but a number of the proposals will simply add to the mounting risks being faced in the industry.
“While arrangements targeted at the gig economy will not impact independent contractors in the residential building industry, the Government’s commitment to build 1.2 million homes over the next five years needs an attractive, flexible and buoyant housing sector, increasing penalties 5-fold and expanding the presence of unions across workplaces will only serve to do the opposite,” concluded Ms Martin.
For more information please contact:
Melissa Adler
Executive Director - Industrial Relations and Legal Services
NCC 2025 preview released
The final content of NCC 2025 has been released today as a ‘preview’ by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) on its website ahead of potential adoption later this year in most states and territories.
Extension of Home Building Grants to 2027
The Northern Territory Government has announced the extension of the $50,000 and $30,000 Home Building Grants till September 2027.
HomeGrown grant extension to 2027 key to driving growth in the Territory
“Today’s announcement on the continuation of the HomeGrown build grants through to September 2027, will provide builders and tradies across the Territory with confidence to plan projects, retain workers and invest in local capability,” stated HIA Executive Director Northern Territory, Luis Espinoza.
Raising interest rates to fight housing-driven inflation is like killing the patient to cure the fever
If governments continue to rely on higher interest rates and the RBA alone to manage inflation, they risk prolonging inflation, higher unemployment and worsening affordability all at the same time.