Backing for ABCC on the up

Support for reinstatement of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) is gaining ground, with the Australian Mines and Metals Association (AMMA) now weighing in. According to a statement released by the group, Australia can no longer afford to have the cost of construction inflated by 20–35% through “industrial relations bullying and lawlessness”.

AMMA cites a report from Menzies Research Centre, which exposes the hidden costs that are being imposed by a lack of competition in the local construction industry. The association blames construction unions for the cancellation of $160 billion worth of new resource projects in the last two years and claims that unions no longer “stand for up for the little guy”.

AMMA is calling for reinstatement of the ABCC with coverage extended to offshore resource construction, which it says is an area of massive potential for Australia. It further says that “the proven mechanism to break down this toxic culture, to stop the bullying, intimidation and illegal conduct, and to empower employers to stand up against pattern agreements, is to properly enforce our industrial relations laws through a dedicated and properly empowered enforcement agency”.