“HIA recognises the role the administrator has played in highlighting serious impropriety and governance problems within unionised parts of the industry. 

“What matters now is ensuring those issues are addressed through durable, system wide reform that improves behaviour, productivity and trust.

“HIA emphasises the importance of urgently progressing the National Construction Industry Forum (NCIF) Blueprint for Reform. This Blueprint provides a practical and balanced roadmap through its tripartite membership, which includes HIA, to address poor workplace culture, strengthen compliance and lift standards across the sector.

“HIA also welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Amanda Rishworth, of a consultation process on establishing a new Building and Construction Industry Standard, describing it as a significant opportunity to reset expectations across the industry - if implemented carefully and pragmatically.

“It is critical that any new industry standard supports lawful behaviour, cultural improvement and accountability, without imposing unnecessary barriers on legitimate businesses - particularly small and medium residential builders and contractors.

“It is particularly important that access to Commonwealth funded work is not contingent on employers being covered by enterprise agreements. The housing sector relies heavily on small businesses and subcontractors and reforms must not recreate settings that exclude capable employers or distort competition on Commonwealth funded projects.

“The proposed areas of focus for the new Industry Standard - including removing veto power over subcontractor choice, permanently excluding proven bad actors through fit and proper person tests, improving coordination between regulators, addressing the influence of unlawful intermediaries, strengthening whistleblower protections and improving dispute resolution - have the potential to drive genuine cultural change if implemented equitably and consistently and appropriately enforced.

“HIA strongly supports measures that stamp out unlawful conduct such as coercion, bribery or misuse of power and return the ‘rule of law’ to construction sites. 

“Conversely, any reform must not unnecessarily burden compliant businesses doing the right thing, by inadvertently imposing requirements that are not fit for purpose and intended to target systemic bad behaviours.

“The consultation process must be genuine, transparent and nationally consistent, with a strong focus on practical outcomes that improve industry culture while supporting productivity and workforce participation.

“Reform of this scale cannot be symbolic. Getting the next phase of the CFMEU’s administration and implementation of the NCIF Blueprint and industry standard right is essential to restoring confidence, supporting housing supply and ensuring the construction sector remains an attractive place to work and invest,” concluded Ms Martin.

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