ABCC final report: Qld building sector investigations up 50 per cent

The number of new investigations launched into alleged wrongdoing in the building sector in Queensland has surged higher than any other state or territory.

There was a 50 per cent spike in the number of new investigations launched into alleged wrongdoing in the building sector in Queensland, and more than any other state or territory, the final report of the construction watchdog has revealed.

The militant construction union, the CFMMEU, was also hit with 88 per cent of the $3 million in fines for breaches of the Fair Work Act imposed by the soon-to-be-defunct Australian Building and Construction Commission.

Of the $5.1 million in fines the ABCC imposed in Queensland since it was restarted in December 2016, $4.4 million or 87 per cent of these were against the CFMMEU or its officials.

Labor promised to abolish the watchdog during the election campaign, accusing it of being a politically motivated anti-union organisation, and is seeking to get the numbers to do so before Parliament rises for the year at the end of next week.

Master Builders CEO Paul Bidwell

The construction industry has continuously spoken out against the move, warning it will see a rise in strikes on building sites, while the CFMMEU accused the watchdog of turning a blind eye to the bad behaviour of employers.

There were 51 new investigations launched in 2021-22, up 50 per cent from 34 the previous financial year.

Wages and entitlement issues and alleged right-of-entry breaches made up the bulk of the investigations, followed by freedom of association, coercion and noncompliance with notices.

Master Builders Queensland boss Paul Bidwell said the investigations and fines showed Queensland was over-represented in construction industrial disputes.

“It confirms that the demise of the ABCC is a worry to the industry. The royal commission has shown there’s a need for a regulator in our industry,” he said.

Mr Bidwell said the government increasing staff at the Fair Work Ombudsman by 88 employees was still a 40 per cent cut compared with the 144 staff at the ABCC.

“It’s a challenge at the outside, let alone what its powers will be,” he said.

CFMMEU national construction and general secretary Dave Noonan said the ABCC had failed to prosecute even one case of sham contracting.

“It is clear the ABCC turns a blind eye to blatant illegal behaviour by employers while persecuting construction workers and unions for even the most trivial matters,” he said.

“The ABCC is one of last vestiges of (former prime minister) John Howard’s WorkChoices and the Federal Government has a clear mandate to abolish it which they took to the Australian people at the election.”