Govt urged to stand firm on subbies pay reform

The electrical industry body Master Electricians Australia (MEA) is urging the Queensland Government to stand firm on the Project bank accounts initiative.

MEA Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Richards said the Project bank accounts initiative was a measured and sensible response to long-running security of payment problems in the building sector.

“Unfortunately, it seems this very worthwhile initiative is going to be the target of a big-spending advertising and lobbying campaign from the big builders,” he said.

“It’s clear the builders are not happy that the days of them using money that belongs to mum and dad subcontracting businesses to support their cash flow are coming to an end. But it is simply not acceptable that builders should be able to use the cash that belongs to small businesses to help finance their next major project.

“Electrical contractors are strongly behind the efforts to reign in the misuse of their money by large builders.

“The state government has indicated that Project Bank Accounts will apply to government-funded projects worth more than $1 million.

“We think this is a good way to test the system and refine it, but we hope it will be rolled out to all projects over time.

“Most of all, we hope the state government will stand firm, and not be swayed by a noisy group of vested interests who are seeing their favourite cash cow disappear in front of their eyes.”