“Once again, we should not be surprised with yesterday’s revelations regarding the conduct of the CFMEU. HIA members seeking to undertake commercial, multiunit or government funded work have cited concerns over many years regarding intimidation by the CFMEU and the influence they have on building sites. This activity further constrains productivity and activity across the sector including the residential building industry.

“The Government has charged the industry with building 1.2 million homes over 5 years, these revelations not only dampen confidence in the sector but do nothing to attract the skilled workers the industry desperately needs to support the Government’s target.

“You just have to shake your head. Governments everywhere spend all this time and money trying to address skills shortages, announce infrastructure programs, and initiate social housing programs which are supposed to help those most vulnerable in our community. They don their hard hats and hi-vis to announce building programs on social media and yet right under their noses they are allowing a criminal and dysfunctional element to dictate the business environment for construction. Are we meant to believe that 60 Minutes were the first ones to find this out?

“The construction industry must be promoted as an attractive industry for all workers by ensuring acceptable, safe and appropriate behaviour on construction sites.

“While we acknowledge that the work of the administrator is only just beginning, HIA echoes the calls by the Opposition to re-establish an industry watch dog. It is clear to everyone now that the current regulatory environment that oversees the operations of the CFMEU is outdated and inadequate so much, so it is acting as a beacon of opportunity for criminal and unethical operators.

“Industrial organisations that can’t operate properly under the current arrangements must be properly regulated and subject to the same degree of transparency and accountability as companies. Union office holders and members must be held accountable in the same way company directors are, and the same penalties should apply for failing to meet those standards.

“We also cannot simply assume that the problem only impacts large projects. This behaviour is impacting costs and value for money throughout the industry as builders who offer more cost effective options are not able to secure contracts for work such as school renovations because they do not have a relationship with the union.

HIA’s Let’s Build election campaign calls on all political parties to take action to ensure the construction industry is an industry of choice.

HIA’s Pre Budget Submission also asks that funds be invested in an industry specific regulator to ensure the law can be enforced on construction sites.

“Housing must be a priority and allowing the type of workplace culture revealed in the media to persist is at odds with this,” concluded Ms Martin.

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