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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
Third round HAFF funding important boost to the program
“It is pleasing to see today’s announcement of the opening of the third round of funding grants from the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) to boost the delivery of much needed housing for those who require it most,” said HIA Managing Director, Jocelyn Martin.
Third round HAFF applications open
The Federal Government, through Housing Australia, has announced that the third round of the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) funding, is now open for applications.
TasWater headworks proposal risks housing affordability
Today, HIA spoke to media regarding TasWater’s proposal to nearly double developer headworks charges for new residential connections from $3,514 to $7,048 per connection from 1 July 2026.
TasWater headworks proposal risks housing affordability and new home supply
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) today called on the Tasmanian Economic Regulator to closely scrutinise TasWater’s plan to almost double developer headworks charges for new residential connections—from $3,514 to $7,048.