16 February 2017
Business SA commends those who supported the ABCC amendments bill.
Maintaining and creating South Australian jobs and a reduction in the cost of construction projects will be significant outcomes of the stand taken by our Senators last night.
Business SA commends Minister Cash and the Turnbull Government, as well as Senators Burston, Bernardi, Griff, Hanson, Hinch, Kakoschke-Moore, Leyonhjelm, Roberts and Xenophon, on jointly supporting legislation which will bring forward the commencement date of the ABCC from late 2018 to September 2017.
“South Australian taxpayers will be the winners as the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) is now able to step in earlier to combat Union misconduct in the building and construction industry. This means a more efficient and cost competitive building sector which will deliver more schools, hospitals and roads for South Australia within current budget constraints,” Business SA CEO, Nigel McBride, said today.
“CFMEU officials who have an appalling record of unlawful practices will once again be held to account for their actions,” Mr McBride said.
“We look forward to major infrastructure projects being delivered more efficiently, construction workers working safely without industrial risk and our young workers entering a workforce free of the toxic culture created by the CFMEU.”
“The announcement in last year’s state budget of a commitment of $500 million spending on refurbishing and redeveloping science and technology labs in South Australian schools is one example of the critical need to ensure we have a competitive building industry overseen by suitably powerful regulation, in this case ensuring future job outcomes for young South Australians.”
“Last night’s vote demonstrated that an independent crossbench can collaborate constructively in the nation’s interest and the South Australian business community looks forward to that continuing across key policies like the much-needed Company tax reform to drive economic growth and jobs,” Mr McBride said.
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