Jeff Kennett: Aspiration CFMEU members turning against Labor

The men and women working on construction sites around Melbourne have probably been Labor voters all their lives, but they are talking differently now.

My office is in Cremorne, or better known to many who live outside the area as part of Richmond.

Cremorne is a small area bounded by Church Street, Swan Street, the Monash Freeway and the Yarra River.

It has become increasingly known as the high tech, innovative suburb of Melbourne.

It hosts many service companies that have used technology to grow their businesses to leadership positions. It is alive with fashion and creative houses, and start-ups.

In short, it is an exciting place to be.

It is also directly serviced by two railway stations, Richmond and Richmond East and therefore continues to be the subject of a great deal of construction of both commercial and residential developments.

I walk the area regularly, and I talk to many of the construction workers on these sites.

Of course, most if not all are members of the CFMEU.

Many workers have shared their concerns about the political situation in Victoria. Picture: Aaron Francis

Regardless of what we might all think of the leadership of the CFMEU, and their tactics, the men and women on these construction sites I have found to be terribly polite, engaging, and work hard and long hours.

They are delivering projects quickly and they are meticulous about keeping their sites and the surrounding areas clean.

The workers are aspirational, both the more experienced and the younger members on site.

Most are very open in sharing, in fact they volunteer with me their thoughts and concerns about the political situation in Victoria, the costs being imposed upon them, and their future plans.

As an example, one individual told me he had just bought two investment properties in Queensland, why would you invest here, he said.

Another said he was moving to Queensland, cheaper than living in Victoria.

These men and women have probably been Labor voters all their lives just like their parents and families. But they are talking differently now.

Jeff Kennett says tradies are building a better Victoria. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake

Much has been said about the Greens working to secure the support of the union movement as the unions protest against the ALP at the forthcoming federal election. The Queensland election result puts an end to that possibility.

The Greens are a divisive party, increasingly losing their way, as we saw them fomenting trouble during the recent demonstrations relating to the riots associated with the Middle East sadness.

The men and women I meet on these construction sites don’t want division in society, they want the opportunity to work, in an orderly society, and as a result of their labours live their lives with their family and friends as they see fit.

I can’t comment on those working on the major infrastructure projects, but the construction workers I meet and observe, the tradies working on housing projects around town are the definition of productivity. They are building a better Victoria.

If only the back of house public servants were so productive, half Victoria’s challenges would be addressed.

Yes, many when called out by their union leaders march the march, at times yell and scream, fill our TV screens, but one-on-one they are no different from the majority of us. Hard workers, providing for themselves and families.

Employers in the construction industry are hurting.

So let those who have abused the system within the CFMEU be held and brought to account, but give credit where it is due.

On the other hand, I have met many employers in the construction industry over the last few weeks. In the main those who work in the suburbs, smaller businesses, providing all manner of projects.

They are hurting, big time.

Whether electrical, asphalt, or builders, they are having difficulty attracting labour. The costs of doing business are becoming prohibitive, and the delays to get permits from government and municipal councils is long and costly.

We often hear the catchcry “we must cut the red tape” associated with doing business.

But in Victoria it has reached a critical situation.

Public servants should be working from their office.

Partly this is a result of the bureaucracy at all levels of government being so large, so tiered that no one makes a decision.

Second, with so many of these bureaucrats working from home when someone rings to resolve an issue no one is answering the phone.

The truth is the fewer people employed, the faster a decision is made. Those so employed must be given the authority to make decisions instead of just protecting their backsides and passing the buck up the line.

Public servants should be working from their office, with some flexibility when needed to work from home.

Finally, VCAT is making the job of those wanting to get projects built time consuming and costly.

The role of VCAT should be reviewed to see if its decisions are fit for purpose today for a society that is rapidly changing.

Build to grow I say.

Jeff Kennett is a former Premier of Victoria