Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator O'Sullivan for the question, if not necessarily for the preamble. Week after week, we hear stories of unlawful blockades, black bans and work stoppages on Australian construction sites. These lead to delays that impose huge additional costs which are often passed on to the taxpayer funding the project. Already unlawful work stoppages at construction sites have delayed such vital community projects as new hospital constructions, new highways and the construction of accommodation for the long-term homeless.

These stoppages are not the result of legitimate industrial activity. They have included threats of 'Armageddon' against a contractor seeking to enforce an order of the independent umpire, the Fair Work Commission. It includes vile abuse, which a Federal Court judge called 'intimidation that is not to be trivialised', and threats to the livelihoods of construction workers.

Services delayed are services denied and they cost the taxpayer money, the community jobs and the whole economy productivity gains that would otherwise be achievable. This is why the government is acting to bring back a building code and the Australian Building and Construction Commission, to ensure that businesses and unions are held to a higher standard when they engage in projects that use taxpayer funds. Business commentator Robert Gottliebsen estimates that rules such as the building code could save up to 30 per cent on construction project costs. In his words, 'The result will be many more hospitals and buildings for the same money.' That is why we want the building code. (Time expired)