Labor’s Plan to strip Protection for Workers and unleash Industrial Unrest
Thursday, 03 November 2011 10:36
“Today’s introduction of a bill that will abolish the Australian Building and Construction Commission, leaving workers unprotected and unleashing industrial unrest on worksites around Australia,” Senator Abetz said today.
“The Howard Government established the Australian Building and Construction Commission in 2005, in response to the findings of the Cole Royal Commission, and has been instrumental in curbing thuggery, illegal industrial action and lawlessness in the construction industry.”
“By keeping disputes to a minimum the ABCC has helped to increase productivity and lower construction costs around Australia while ensuring safe and harmonious working environments for workers.”
“The protection provided by the ABCC for workers and the productivity that comes as a result were put in place as a direct result of a Royal Commission, but once again this arrogant Government thinks it knows best and will unravel a proven and workable solution on the basis of ideology, exactly like they did on border protection,” Senator Abetz said.
“With the ABCC, we have seen an increase in productivity by 10%, an annual economic welfare gain of $5.5 billion per year, lower inflation, increased GDP and the lowest levels of working days lost in the building and construction industry in history.”
“Labor’s weakening of the ABCC has already seen working days lost skyrocket to 44 days lost per thousand employees within the building and construction sector – The highest level since 2005 – And the Wonthaggi debacle has already given us a glimpse of what’s in store.”
“This Bill will strip away the protections that workers in the industry enjoy and roll out the red carpet to union militancy,” Senator Abetz said.
“Make no mistake, this Bill will mean unrest on building and construction sites right around Australia and a return to the 1970s with the union thugs in charge of what gets built and when depending on the size of the bribe.”
“By caving into the demands of the “I’m alright Jack” militants within the union movement who wish to water down the powers of the industrial watchdog, Labor has abandoned the interests of workers, productivity and the economy,” Senator Abetz concluded.
