It is no mean feat to construct one piece of legislation let alone two pieces that spare almost no one from their destructive consequences, thumbing their noses at the real world inhabited by Australia’s competitors. The Fair Work Act changes of the past year have done exactly that.

If it weren’t for the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union being in administration for at least another two years, the damage would be significant already. Every home builder and their clients would be demonstrating on the streets on Sundays.