CCF continues its strong support for a tough building and construction watchdog
CCF has lodged its submission to the Wilcox Review into the future of the Australian Building and Construction Commission. Members will recollect that the Rudd Government committed to the retention of the ABCC until 31 January 2010 and after that date, it will be replaced with a specialist building and construction division within the Inspectorate of Fair Work Australia.
The Wilcox Review has been tasked with putting some flesh on the bones of this commitment.
Since then we have had some further clarification of the structures the Government will put in place for an Inspectorate with the release of the Fair Work Australia Bill. From this it appears that the building and construction Inspectorate will be part of the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman who will take over enforcement and investigations.
However, the details of what powers the new Inspectorate will have in building and construction matters and how the Inspectorate will operate will be decided after his Honour Mr Justice Wilcox has reported.
In our submission we have argued strongly for:
- The continuation of the BCII Act particularly its offence and enforcement provisions;
- A separate building and construction regulator rather than an Inspectorate under the Fair Work Ombudsman; and
- The retention of the powers to compel people to appear, answer questions and produce documents which as been so fundamental to the ABCC’s success,
The Review is required to report to Government by the end of March 2009. Click here for submission.