Labor rules giving building unions more powers on projects

Michael Bleby, James Hall and David Marin-Guzman

Jul 18, 2024 – 1.09pm

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New rules on wages and workplace conditions expanded by Queensland Labor have given construction unions more power over state projects worth billions of dollars and are threatening to blow out costs for green energy projects by as much as 30 per cent.

The Best Practice Industry Conditions – extended to renewable energy projects in April after being brought in earlier for commercial construction and civil infrastructure – are also fuelling a turf war in Queensland between the disgraced CFMEU and the rival Australian Workers’ Union (AWU), industry figures said.

Michael Bleby covers commercial and residential property, with a focus on housing and finance, construction, design & architecture. He also dabbles in the business of sport. Based in Melbourne, Michael is on Bluesky @michaelbleby.bsky.social.

James Hall is the Financial Review's Queensland correspondent.

David Marin-Guzman writes about industrial relations, workplace, policy and leadership from Sydney.