{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location {{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationRushed Workplace Bill demands greater parliamentary scrutiny
Rushed Workplace Bill demands greater parliamentary scrutiny
Member and guest login
Enter your email and password to access secured content, members only resources and discount prices.
Did you become a member online? If not, you will need to activate your account to login.
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
Forgotten password
Need some help?
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
If the email address you have entered is registered, you will receive an email with further instructions.
Become part of the HIA community
Enables quick and easy registration for future events or learning and grants access to expert advice and valuable resources.
Create a guest account
Enter your details below and create a login
Send me exclusive tips, early access to new launches, and special offers. I can change my mind at any time.
By clicking Get started now you agree to the terms and conditions and privacy policy.
“This Bill is being sold as a modest administrative tidy-up of the Fair Work Commission. It is not.
“It contains wide-ranging reforms with significant implications for the residential construction industry, procurement frameworks, workforce costs and the capacity of builders to deliver the homes Australians need.
“The Federal Government is making a bad habit of tabling substantial workplace relations reforms with no notice, no industry engagement and no consideration of cumulative impact.
“This is particularly concerning given the large number of legislative reviews currently underway that will impose future workplace relations reforms.
“HIA’s immediate concerns with this Bill are numerous.
“The Bill effectively fast-tracks the Commonwealth’s Secure Australian Jobs Code, which is still in the consultation and development phase and for which industry raised numerous concerns.
“Further, while the reforms in the Bill are presented as routine, the practical effect is to entrench enterprise bargaining as the only workplace arrangement the Government views as legitimate.
“The Bill also proposes to loosen the threshold requirements for unfair dismissal and general protections applications before the Fair Work Commission. Lowering the evidentiary bar for applications will increase the volume of speculative claims and drive-up compliance and legal costs for small businesses.
“HIA is also concerned about the Bill’s changes to the high-income threshold for road transport contractors, granting a specially carved-out threshold to allow access to Fair Work protections in one industry alone. If extended to construction, the ramifications for project costs and workforce management would be severe.
“HIA is not opposed to practical workplace relations reform, but we are opposed to reform that is rushed, opaque, and designed without input from those who will carry its costs most, being the small and medium-sized businesses.
“The Government has an ambitious housing supply target. Every piece of policy that increases cost, uncertainty or administrative burden on residential builders moves that target further out of reach.
“HIA calls for this Bill to be referred to a parliamentary committee for proper scrutiny, with meaningful timeframes for industry and community feedback and public hearings.
This should also be deferred until the findings and government responses to other concurrent reviews currently underway have been handed down. The residential building sector deserves nothing less,” concluded Mr Collins.
For more information please contact:
Stuart Collins
Senior Executive Director Compliance and Workplace Relations
NT housing market continues to outperform as confidence drives growth
The Northern Territory's housing market continues to outperform many parts of the country, with strong dwelling price growth, rising building approvals and sustained investment activity demonstrating confidence in the Territory's future.
EIE – Standard and model conditions of consent
HIA commented on the Explanation of Intended Effect for Standard and model conditions of consent (the EIE). It is understood the EIE explains the proposed amendments to State Environmental Planning Policy 2021 that will give effect to consistent conditions of consent for residential development across the state.
Tasmanian home approvals lift, but still short of what’s needed
Home building approvals in Tasmania have climbed over the past year, though the numbers remain well below the level needed to meet demand.
Solid apartment approvals fail to reverse housing slowdown in ACT
The latest building approvals data shows the ACT residential building market remains subdued, with detached housing continuing to struggle and the momentum that emerged in the apartment market during 2025 now showing signs of fading.