MEA supports new construction code to reduce industrial disputes

Master Electricians Australia (MEA) has lent support to the Qld Government’s establishment of construction code guidelines to reduce the number of industrial disputes at work sites and said it looked forward to working with the government on its implementation.

MEA Workplace Relations Manager Jason O’Dwyer said the new guidelines for the building and construction code of practice would aid in cutting the rising occurrences of unnecessary time delays and cost blowouts on a number of major infrastructure projects.

“These guidelines are the first step in the right direction since the abolishment of the Australian Building Construction Commission (ABCC), as well as the opportunity for government to play a more proactive role in ensuring that the major construction industry moves away from the highly adversarial and increasingly litigious culture,” he said.

“In the past year, industrial disputes such as the one at the Queensland Children’s Hospital have accounted for 46% of working days lost to the country. That dispute alone cost the state government an estimated $7.4 million.

“With the establishment of the construction codes it is hoped major infrastructure projects such as schools and hospitals can be completed on time and within budget without added expense to taxpayers.”

O’Dwyer said the effectiveness of the code would depend on its implementation and the enforcement measures.

“We are waiting to see more detail on what penalties will apply for breaches of the code, or how statutory fines will be enforced should unions or employers fail to abide by it. It also needs to identify what level of contracts are covered, which was a major failing of the early code implemented by the federal government,” he said. 

“A draft of the guidelines and a rough organisational structure, or draft legislation creating the enforcement office and its authority, would greatly aid employers in better understanding the code’s guidelines and its implementation.

“Master Electricians is looking forward to working closely with the Newman government to finetune the details of the construction code and ensure that it is enforced to the benefit of all within the industry.”