FED:AWU boss takes aim at ABCC

AAP General News (Australia)
02-14-2011
FED:AWU boss takes aim at ABCC

GOLD COAST, Qld, Feb 14 AAP - Queensland's disaster recovery will be hindered by the
Howard-era construction industry watchdog, the Australian Workers Union (AWU) says.

The AWU has used its national conference on the Gold Coast to renew calls for the abolition
of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC).

Secretary Paul Howes told delegates federal Labor deserved praise for throwing out Work Choices.

But, he said, the vast amount of construction about to take place in Queensland after
recent floods and Cyclone Yasi meant there was nothing more urgent than axing the "evil"

ABCC.

"While it exists, it will be a barrier to the reconstruction effort and an attack on
AWU members' rights," he told the conference.

"The construction workers in our union, who will be the people building this infrastructure,
putting the country back together, do not want the evil of the ABCC hanging menacingly
over their heads."

The union also kept up pressure on the Gillard government over the proposed mineral
resources rent tax.

Mr Howes argued the money could help repair Queensland as a first priority.

He said it was time mining bosses such as Queensland's Clive Palmer admitted the proceeds
of the mining tax were now vital to mining regions to restore roads and rail links for
export.

"It will not just be good for Clive and his mining mates, but it will be good for all
Australians," Mr Howes said.

He later told reporters the ABCC's funding should be cut, and the body replaced with
an industrial relations inspectorate with the same rights and powers as any other.

"The ABCC depletes morale in construction workplaces, interferes between unions and
employers when they are trying to negotiate industrial outcomes," he said.

"It will be a hindrance and not a help to the reconstruction efforts here in Queensland.

"This is an independent body that has more powers than the ATO (Australian Taxation
Office), more powers than ASIO to run around on this ideological agenda, and you can change
all the people at the top as much as you want, at the end of the day it's the institution
and the laws that are wrong, not the people."

The AWU supported Labor's proposed laws replacing the ABCC, but did not support the
new Fair Work Building Industry Inspectorate retaining coercive powers over construction
workers, Mr Howes said.

He also flagged the launch of a new campaign to get a better deal for Australia under
free trade agendas.

The campaign, called Don't Dump on Australia, will be launched on Wednesday.

The 125th anniversary conference heard the AWU was now the fastest growing union in the country.

AAP gd/tnf/apm

KEYWORD: AWU

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