Master Builders statement on CFMEU administration

MASTER Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn has welcomed "the swift action of government to appoint an external administrator to all branches of the CFMEU Construction and General Division".

“The appointment occurred within a day of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Administration) Bill 2024 received royal assent," she said.

“This has been a long time coming and is a critical first step in getting the building and construction industry on the road to meaningful cultural change.

“Master Builders applauds the bipartisanship approach at federal and state levels to clear the way for the administrator, Mark Irving KC, to hit the ground running.

“This culture has existed for decades and has stifled productivity and increased the cost of construction at the expense of the community, taxpayers, jobs and small business.

“We all, whether as employers, workers or union members, deserve to work in an industry that is lawful, safe and free from corruption, coercion, bullying and intimidation," Ms Wawn said.

“Everyone in building and construction recognises the important role that unions play in workplaces but it’s clear some within the CFMEU have lost their way.

“History shows that the only way to comprehensively crack down on criminality and corruption is to tackle a poor culture underpinned by disregard for the rule of law.

"The relationship between employers and unions should be a constructive and mutually respective one and we hope this is the first step to achieving that goal.

“Master Builders urges all industry participants to come forward to report any conduct or potentially unlawful activity involving the CFMEU to the Fair Work Commission," Ms Wawn said.

“If we don’t learn from history, we will be doomed to repeat it. Permanent and lasting change requires long-term regulatory reform.

“The Federal Government must now move to establish a dedicated building and construction industry watchdog with real teeth.