Opinion: Real agenda behind LNP move to scrap Qld BPIC policy

Unions and so-called work ‘perks’ have become the scapegoat for blowouts on Qld projects as the LNP moves to scrap the BPIC policy. But there's more to the story, writes CFMEU official Dylan Howard.

CFMEU official Dylan Howard says unions have become scapegoats for cost blowouts on Queensland worksites. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

Many people who’ve never set foot on a construction site have had a lot to say recently about the wages and so-called “perks” that workers receive.

The hysterical commentary from the LNP government is a clear sign they intend to wage war on construction workers and our unions.

Last week’s decision to suspend the Best Practice Industry Conditions (BPIC) policy was the LNP’s first shot across the bow.

The brouhaha over BPIC is a result of three factors: The failure of the former Labor government to properly manage the huge pipeline of infrastructure work; the dysfunctional Department of Transport and Main Roads; and an LNP government that would rather scapegoat unions than address the cause of cost blowouts.

Deputy Premier and Industrial Relations Minister Jarrod Bleijie. Picture: Annette Dew

We can all agree that the worst cost overruns are on projects managed by TMR. But most of those TMR projects – including the Cross River Rail – do not have BPIC wages or conditions.

For years, our union criticised the Labor government for failing to enforce BPIC on TMR projects – just as we’re now opposing the LNP government’s move to suspend BPICs across the board.

But BPIC isn’t the problem. We supported that policy because BPIC compels all contractors to go through a prequalification process to ensure they are employing local workers, using local suppliers and have the cash flow to complete the job.

If the LNP wants to argue that BPIC kills productivity, they would have to also argue that Australia’s biggest commercial builders – such as Multiplex, Lendlease, Hutchies, Mirvac and so on – are also unproductive.

Why? Because all those big private builders have agreements with the CFMEU and other unions that match BPIC rates, conditions and work arrangements.

A CFMEU member removed from a Queensland Major Contractors Association Breakfast in Brisbane. Picture: NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

The problem is the anti-union civil contractors like CPB, Acciona and BMD. Those contractors – along with TMR – are responsible for disastrous, costly projects such as the Cross River Rail, the Toowoomba Bypass and the Centenary Bridge upgrade.

With the CFMEU in external administration, the LNP clearly sees an opportunity to de-unionise the construction sector ahead of the huge program of work coming up for the 2032 Olympic Games.

BPIC or no BPIC, CFMEU members will continue to build Queensland’s critical infrastructure, and our officials will be on the jobs to make sure all workers are safe.

Dylan Howard is CFMEU QLD/NT Civil Construction Coordinator