Page 4549 - Week 14 - Wednesday, 23 November 2005
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manufacturing industries were at work. These thousands, some 17,000 according to the most recent ABS statistics, represent 9.5 per cent of all ACT workers and a large section of the ACT’s private sector—that is, 17,000 households that rely on the income of these workers; 17,000 households that depend on 17,000 workers to return home when their day is complete and be well enough to do the same thing tomorrow. The motion before the Assembly in my name is about these 17,000 workers and their rights to workplace safety.
The motion is about the rights of these 17,000 workers to organise and form a union, rights that are necessary for ensuring workplace safety. This motion condemns the federal government, with its Building and Construction Industry Improvement Act, for the exclusion of industrial action on the grounds of safety concerns, the introduction of penalties of up to $22,000 for individuals who take part in industrially motivated actions, the exclusion of construction project agreements and the ability of Australian Building and Construction Commission inspectors to enforce a penalty of imprisonment for six months against any worker who does not attend for questioning, answer questions or who obstructs an investigation or fails to hand over documents.
This legislation arose from the recommendations of the federal government’s $60 million Cole inquiry. According to the Prime Minister and the then Minister for Workplace Relations, the building and construction industry was plagued by illegal activities and corruption, on the verge of anarchy. But what came of such inquiries into lawlessness? Overall, only 25 per cent of the near 100 serious instances arising from the royal commission were pursued at the conclusion of the inquiry. In the final stages of the royal commission, 50 files were referred to the building industry task force to follow through. Every single case has been reviewed and all have been discontinued without any further action taken. I am yet to be convinced that these findings illustrate an industry in chaos and disarray.
Despite this fact, the federal government chose to pursue its ideological agenda with legislation—the Building and Construction Industry Improvement Act. It is an ideology shared by those in the opposition—those members who voted against industrial manslaughter and who, I anticipate, will attempt to justify the position of their best mates on the hill. I can hear them now crying foul over statistics of the royal commission and calling for improvement of the building and construction industry.
It is not often that I do, but in this instance I would agree with the opposition. The construction and building industry does need improvement. The realities of the industry are none too pretty; in fact, they are heartbreaking. I read from the Sydney Morning Herald of 17 October 2003:
Joel Exner was so excited about his new job that he jumped out of bed at 5.30 am on Wednesday and took a taxi to work, from Doonside to Eastern Creek.
It was the 16-year-old’s third day as a roof plumber, striding the giant structure of the new factory being built by Australand.
It was also to be Joel’s last day.
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