NT, Statement
Inspectors from the Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC) will visit building sites in Central Australia from 27 February to 2 March to assess compliance with federal workplace laws.
ACT, Statement
The ABCC’s Canberra office is tomorrow celebrating one year delivering effective workplace regulation and advice to the ACT’s building and construction industry
WA, Statement
Inspectors from the Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC) will visit building sites in the Pilbara region from 20 to 24 February to assess compliance with federal workplace laws
QLD, Statement
Inspectors from the Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC) will visit building sites in Townsville from 20 to 22 February to assess compliance with federal workplace laws.
National, Statement
ABC Commissioner Leigh Johns has today announced an inquiry into events at the centre of a recent committal hearing in the Melbourne Magistrates Court, in which the ABCC’s management of particular pieces of evidence in a 2009 matter was found to be deficient.
National, Statement
The ABCC is today calling for tender submissions to conduct research into sham contracting within Australia’s building and construction industry.
QLD, Statement
The Federal Magistrates Court this week ordered the CFMEU and two of its organisers to pay $46,860 in penalties for organising an unlawful strike on the Gold Coast University Hospital project.
WA, Statement
Last year $92,800 was recovered for Western Australian building and construction workers following investigations by the ABCC.
NT, Statement
Last year the Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner recovered back-payments of $14,350 for Northern Territory building and construction workers.
QLD, Statement
Last year the Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner recovered back-payments of $52,500 for Queensland building and construction workers.
NSW, Statement
Last year the Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner recovered back-payments of $60,500 for New South Wales building and construction workers.
VIC, Statement
Last year the Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner recovered back-payments of $32,700 for Victorian building and construction workers.
SA, Statement
Last year the Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner recovered back-payments of $17,750 for South Australian building and construction workers.
ACT, Statement
Last year the Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner recovered back-payments of $27,300 for building and construction workers in the Australian Capital Territory.
National, Industry news
Due to scheduled maintenance, the ABCC website will be unavailable from 8.00 pm Friday 13 January 2012 to 6.00 pm Sunday 15 January 2012 (AEDT). For any enquiries during this period, please contact the ABCC hotline on 1800 003 338 between 7.00 am and 7.00 pm.
VIC, Statement
The Federal Magistrates Court has penalised the CFMEU $26,000 after finding its official, Fergal Doyle, ignored right of entry provisions on two building sites in Beaconsfield and Endeavour Hills.
National, Statement
The Australian Building and Construction Commissioner Leigh Johns today announced he has established a Sham Contracting Research Advisory Committee.
QLD, Backgrounder
Backgrounder for the case of Australian Building and Construction Commissioner v Sutherland, Jarvis, O’Doherty, Pearson, Lynch, BLF, CFMEU & CEPU
SA, Backgrounder
Backgrounder for the case of Australian Building and Construction Commissioner v Robko & Robbins.
QLD, Backgrounder
Backgrounder for the case of Australian Building and Construction Commissioner v Myles, Pearson, Treadaway, BLF, CFMEU & CFMEU Queensland branch.
National, Statement
Australian Building and Construction Commissioner Leigh Johns today released the report of the ABCC’s inquiry into sham contracting in the building and construction industry.
National, Backgrounder
Background to the release of the final report of the ABCC Sham Contracting Inquiry.
VIC, Statement
The Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU) has been penalised $10,000 after admitting that one of its officials pressured a contractor’s employees on a Melbourne construction site to become members.
QLD, Backgrounder
The ABCC will allege that the respondents engaged in unlawful industrial action, asked an employer to make unlawful payments and contravened the terms of agreement covering workers on the project.
National, Statement
The ABCC today released the agency’s 2010-11 Annual Report, revealing a substantial increase in the agency’s productivity across key performance areas.
VIC, Backgrounder
Backgrounder for Australian Building and Construction Commissioner v Linkhill Pty Ltd
NSW, Statement
A building worker in Western Sydney has received a ten week redundancy package totalling $17,310 after an ABCC investigation found the employee had not been paid his full termination entitlements.
VIC, Industry news
ABC Commissioner Leigh Johns spoke to the Industrial Relations Society of Victoria (IRSV) in Melbourne on dispute resolution issues, challenges and opportunities.
QLD, Industry news
ABC Commissioner Leigh Johns spoke at the AMCA National Conference in Queensland on getting workplace relations settings right on commercial building and construction sites.
VIC, Backgrounder
The ABCC alleges that CFMEU official Derek Christopher and the CFMEU engaged in unlawful industrial action, when Mr Christopher shut down work on a Melbourne building site on 12 March 2010.
NSW, Statement
Some 117 plasterers have been back-paid a total of $15,230 after the Australian Building and Construction Commission found their Sydney-based employer had failed to implement a wage increase in their enterprise agreement.
National, Statement
Deputy ABC Commissioner (Field Operations) Michael Campbell today announced that the ABCC’s concreting and finishing trades audit was underway and being rolled out across Australia.
QLD, Industry news
The Brisbane office of the ABCC has recently moved to a new location.
National, Alert
Pay rate and allowance calculator PayCheck Plus is now accessible online for building and construction industry participants.
ACT, Statement
The Federal Magistrates Court in Canberra imposed penalties totalling $25,500 on Rapid Formwork Constructions Pty Ltd and its Director Kevin Anderson, for engaging two workers on ‘sham contracting’ arrangements and breaching the relevant awards.
VIC, Backgrounder
The ABCC alleges Robert Mates refused to provide site induction for two subcontractor employees because they were not members of the CFMEU, resulting in the employees being unable to perform scheduled duties.
QLD, Statement
The ABCC will scrutinise the employment records of a number of Brisbane building sites in coming months as part of a series of targeted audits into the problem of sham contracting and incorrect payment of employee entitlements.
QLD, Alert
The ABCC conducted a series of investigations into alleged unlawful industrial action at the Gold Coast University Hospital project and the Brisbane Supreme and District Law Courts project. If your company has been adversely impacted or suffered a loss as a result of industrial action at these projects you can contact the ABCC.
VIC, Statement
The Federal Court in Melbourne last week published reasons for an earlier judgment, in which a $5,000 penalty was imposed on CFMEU official Michael Powell for using threatening and vulgar language, and shoving a site manager on a Melbourne construction site in August 2008.
WA, Backgrounder
The CFMEU and its official were handed penalties totalling $85,000 following strikes at the Pluto LNG project near Karratha in the Pilbara region. The ABCC discontinued its application against the respondents and the ABC Commissioner exercised his right to intervene in the case Woodside Burrup Pty Ltd v CFMEU and McDonald.
WA, Statement
The Federal Court in Perth has penalised Perth company Professional Gyprock Solutions Pty Ltd (PGS) and its sole director Lin Qiao a total of $19,000, for breaches of the Fair Work Act 2009 related to false, misleading and inadequate records of payment.
NSW, Alert
CFMEU NSW official Thomas Mitchell has surrendered his right of entry permit for the next 12 months, as part of an agreed penalty submission provided to the Court in ABCC v Mitchell, Papaconstuntinos, CFMEU & CFMEU (NSW Branch).
NSW, Statement
ABCC media statement for ABCC v Mitchell, Papaconstuntinos, CFMEU & CFMEU (NSW Branch)
QLD, Statement
The ABCC has recovered a total of $1250 for three demolition workers in Bowen Hills, Brisbane, after a worker notified the ABCC his pay had been withheld.
VIC, Statement
The ABCC has recovered a total of $2000 for six plasterers in Melbourne, after an investigation revealed they had not been paid overtime rates.
NSW, Industry news
ABC Commissioner Leigh Johns updated the 19th Annual Labour Law Conference in Sydney on the progress of the ABCC Sham Contracting Inquiry.
NT, Statement
The Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner will officially open its first Northern Territory headquarters in Darwin tonight.
VIC, Statement
The Federal Magistrates Court at Melbourne today endorsed a penalty of $5000 on the CFMEU and $1000 on its official, Mark Travers for failing to observe proper right of entry procedures.
WA, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for ABCC v Inner Strength Steel Fixing Pty Ltd & Vishuddha Shane Sacha
WA, Statement
The Federal Court in Perth has imposed penalties on the CFMEU, the Western Australian branch’s assistant secretary, Joseph McDonald and organiser Michael Buchan after they admitted engaging in unlawful industrial action.
National, Alert
We have now activated our Twitter account, @abcc_gov_au.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC backgrounder for ABCC v Graauwmans and CFMEU.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC Backgrounder for ABCC v Powell and Tadic.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC backgrounder for ABCC v Christopher and CFMEU.
WA, Backgrounder
ABCC backgrounder for ABCC v CFMEU, CFMEUW and McDonald.
National, Statement
Australian Building and Construction Commissioner Leigh Johns has welcomed the appointment of Mr Brian Corney and Mr Michael Campbell as Deputy Australian Building and Construction Commissioners
WA, Backgrounder
Interlocutory injunction application filed after CFMEU organiser arrest at Perth building site.
VIC, Statement
In Gregor v CFMEU, Christopher and Ors, the court imposed penalties totalling $305,000 on the CFMEU and six officials for disrupting work at the Royal Children’s Hospital and six other sites in Melbourne, to coerce the builder into employing a particular person.
In Cozadinos v CFMEU, Christopher & Ors, the court imposed penalties totalling $110,000 on the CFMEU and four of its officials, for disrupting work at the Royal Children’s Hospital and other sites across Melbourne to protest the swipe-card security system utilised by Bovis Lend Lease.
National, Industry news
Fair Work Australia has granted an increase of 3.4% to modern award weekly wage rates. This increase will take effect from the first pay period on or after 1 July 2011.
National, Statement
With the recovery of $10,031 for four Korean tilers working in the ACT, the ABCC has now recovered more than $100,000 in wages and entitlements for workers in the building and construction industry.
QLD, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for ABCC V CFMEU, Pearson, Vink, O’Doherty, CEPU, Hanna, Jarvis, Olsen & Malone
VIC, Statement
ABCC media release for Commissioner Johns participation in the CEO Sleepout
VIC, Statement
The ABCC has removed construction company Brookfield Multiplex Limited from a proceeding related to alleged unlawful coercion at a Melbourne construction site.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Helal v CFMEU & Mates
VIC, Statement
On 2 June 2011 the Federal Court of Australia at Melbourne ordered the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union to pay a total of $560,000 in penalties, costs and compensation.
VIC, Statement
The ABCC secured back-payments for workers at the Pentridge Prison Apartment project in Melbourne. The ABCC has recovered $84,071 entitlements for workers to date.
QLD, Statement
The ABCC confirmed it is investigating work stoppages at several major infrastructure projects in Queensland.
National, Statement
The ABCC will commission research designed to gain a fuller understanding of the extent and impact of sham contracting on Australia’s building and construction industry.
VIC, Industry news
On 20 May 2011 ABC Commissioner Leigh Johns delivered a speech to the Australian Industry Group, National Construction Conference in Melbourne.
NSW, Alert
Fair Work Australia has suspended the federal right of entry permits of CFMEU Assistant Secretary Brian Parker and CFMEU organiser Thomas Mitchell for three months after finding the pair had acted inappropriately while exercising these rights.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for ABCC v Bollas.
National, Industry news
On 3 May 2011 ABC Commissioner Leigh Johns delivered a speech to the Australian Industry Group, Personnel and Industrial Relations Conference.
National, Industry news
The ABCC has launched the new Freedom of Information section of the ABCC website to meet the new requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 1982.
NSW, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for ABCC v Mitchell, Papaconstuntinos, CFMEU & CFMEU (NSW Branch).
National, Alert
Some building and construction industry employers have recently received letters from a union proposing a new enterprise agreement. These letters may mislead employers about the bargaining process under the Fair Work Act 2009 (FW Act).
WA, Alert
The venue for the Perth Sham Contracting Inquiry Roundtable has been moved due to strong interest from industry.
QLD, Alert
The Sham Contracting Inquiry heads to Brisbane on Monday 18 April 2011 for the last in a series of five Roundtables.
VIC, Statement
Australian Building and Construction Commissioner Leigh Johns today confirmed that the ABCC is investigating allegations that construction workers at the Pentridge Prison apartment site in Melbourne were locked-out of the job last week.
WA, Alert
The Sham Contracting Inquiry heads to Perth on Thursday 14 April 2011 for the fourth in a series of five Roundtables.
VIC, Statement
The Federal Magistrates Court at Melbourne has imposed penalties totalling $37,500 on the CFMEU, and its officials Michael Powell and Alex Tadic. The court found the union and two officials engaged in unlawful industrial action on the Eastlink project in Melbourne.
National, Alert
The ABC Commissioner has challenged key provisions of an enterprise agreement currently before Fair Work Australia for approval.
ACT, Statement
The Federal Magistrates Court in Sydney has today ruled that an ACT construction company and two of its directors engaged in sham contracting.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for ABCC v CFMEU and Christopher
ACT, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for ABCC v Rapid Formwork Constructions Pty Ltd and Anderson
VIC, Alert
The Sham Contracting Inquiry heads to Melbourne on Monday 4 April 2011 for the third in a series of five Roundtables.
VIC, Industry news
ABC Commissioner Leigh Johns addressed the Master Builders Association Victoria (MBAV) Industry Breakfast on Thursday 24 March 2011.
National, Alert
The Canberra and Sydney Sham Contracting Inquiry public roundtables to be held in a week.
WA, Backgrounder
The ABCC alleges that Professional Gyprock Solutions and Lin Qiao failed to keep pay records, failed to provide pay slips to employees and kept false or misleading records
VIC, Backgrounder
The ABCC alleges that on the morning of 21 January 2010, CFMEU official Adam Hall entered building sites in Wallangara Estate, Victoria, and contravened s.500 of the Fair Work Act (2009) by hindering or obstructing various persons on the site.
VIC, Statement
The Federal Magistrates Court in Melbourne imposed penalties totalling $41,000 on the CFMEU and two senior officials for a crane blockade in 2008.
VIC, Statement
The Federal Court in Melbourne imposed penalties totalling $170,000 on the CFMEU and nine of its officials for coercive behaviour and unlawful industrial action that occurred during May 2008.
National, Statement
Australian Building and Construction (ABC) Commissioner Leigh Johns today announced the publication of 17 submissions to the ABCC’s Sham Contracting Inquiry.
VIC, Statement
The Federal Court in Melbourne handed down penalties totalling $110,000 on the CFMEU and four of its officials, and the CEPU and one of its officials.
National, Alert
On 19 November 2010 ABC Commissioner Leigh Johns opened an inquiry into sham contracting in the building and construction industry.
QLD, Statement
The Federal Magistrates Court in Brisbane has imposed penalties totalling $21,000 BLF organiser, Kane Pearson and the union after he disrupted a concrete pour and swore at employees at a Brisbane building site.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for ABCC v Gray and CEPU
National, Statement
Australian Building and Construction Commissioner Leigh Johns announced changes to the use of powers under s.52 of the Building and Construction Industry Improvement Act 2005 (BCII Act).
National, Backgrounder
The ABC Commissioner conducted a review of the practice and procedure for using s.52 powers following the decision in CDPP v Tribe.
WA, Statement
Australian Building and Construction Commissioner, Leigh Johns, has welcomed the outcome of discussions between ABCC officers, union officials, workers and their employers at a site on Hay Street, Perth.
WA, Statement
Australian Building and Construction Commissioner Leigh Johns today confirmed the agency had commenced an investigation into alleged failure to pay workers’ agreed entitlements at a Perth building site.
QLD, Backgrounder
The ABCC filed proceedings in the Federal magistrates Court in Brisbane, alleging that the CFMEU and two of its organisers engaged in unlawful industrial action and acted in an improper manner while seeking to exercise rights as a permit holder.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for ABCC v Stephenson, Smits and CFMEU
SA, Statement
The Federal Magistrates Court has imposed penalties totalling $45,000 on the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) and its official Justin Feehan for engaging in unlawful industrial action on two sites in Adelaide.
National, Statement
Shamcontractinginquiry.gov.au is now live, creating an online hub to support industry participation in its Sham Contracting Roundtable and Inquiry.
NSW, Statement
Australian Building and Construction Commissioner Leigh Johns today confirmed that the ABCC is enquiring into matters arising from the collapse of Wollongong construction firm Perle Pty Ltd
WA, Statement
ABC Commissioner Leigh Johns has confirmed that the ABCC is investigating claims of worker underpayment on a $13 million government housing project in Northbridge, WA. The investigation commenced on Monday 17 January 2011
QLD, Industry news
The Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman has prepared advice to assist those employees and employers who are affected by the flooding affecting Queensland.
VIC, Statement
On 21 December 2010 the Federal Magistrates Court in Melbourne penalised CFMEU assistant secretary John Setka $6,000.
National, Statement
ABC Commissioner Leigh Johns today released the terms of reference for the ABCC’s Inquiry and Roundtable into sham contracting in the building and construction industry.
NSW, Statement
Penalties totalling $50,500 were handed down to the CFMEU, CFMEU NSW and four of its officials for engaging in dangerous and abusive conduct while exercising their rights as permit holders.
VIC, Statement
On 17 June 2010 the CFMEU and Mr Mates applied for special leave to appeal the decision of the Full Federal Court of Australia in the High Court of Australia. On 10 December 2010 the High Court rejected the application
National, Statement
Statement by ABC Commissioner Leigh Johns – decision in Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions v Tribe.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for ABCC v CFMEU and Hudson
National, Statement
ABC Commissioner Leigh Johns addressed the fifth biennial Australian Labour Law Association Conference, outlining key details and terms of reference of the ABCC’s roundtable and inquiry into sham contracting.
VIC, Statement
ABC Commissioner Leigh Johns has expressed concerns about claims at Wonthaggi Desalination plant, confirms ABCC is investigating.
ACT, Statement
The Federal Magistrates Court in Canberra has imposed penalties totalling $12,000 on Iqon Pty Ltd and two senior employees, after they refused to allow two CFMEU officials to investigate OHS breaches at the National Convention Centre.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for ABCC v CFMEU and Reardon
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for ABCC v Doyle and CFMEU
National, Statement
ABC Commissioner Leigh Johns has released a guidance note detailing the ABCC Litigation Policy, setting out guidelines to be followed by the ABCC when commencing civil legal proceedings.
National, Statement
In his first appearance before Senate Estimates as ABC Commissioner, Mr Leigh Johns advised the Committee that he plans to broaden and redefine the role of the ABCC so that it becomes a ‘full service regulator’.
VIC, Statement
The Federal Magistrates Court in Melbourne has imposed penalties totalling $30,000 on the CFMEU and its official for engaging in unlawful industrial action. ABC Commissioner Leigh Johns welcomed the successful outcome and emphasised the importance of following lawful dispute resolution procedures:
ACT, Industry news
ABC Commissioner Leigh Johns opening statement to the Senate standing committee on education, employment and workplace relations.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for
Mortimore v CFMEU.National, Statement
The Australian Building and Construction Commissioner, John Lloyd will tomorrow step down after five years in the role. Commenting on the successes of the ABCC, Mr Lloyd noted the important contribution the agency has made to the Australian building and construction industry:
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Alfred v CFMEU & Constantinou
VIC, Statement
The Federal Magistrates Court has penalised the CFMEU and organiser Adrian McLoughlin a total of $46,200, holding them to account for unlawful industrial action taken at a Melbourne construction site.
WA, Statement
The Federal Court in a decision on 3 September 2010 imposed penalties totalling $48,000 on the CFMEU and the union’s Western Australian Assistant Secretary Joe McDonald. The court found Mr McDonald engaged in an unlawful strike at the City Square project in Perth on 15 July 2009.
NSW, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Darlaston v Risetop Construction, Rummukainen and Rummukainen
National, Alert
The ABC Commissioner John Lloyd has welcomed Linda Addison to the position of Assistant Commissioner Operations.
WA, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for ABCC v CFMEU and McDonald
VIC, Statement
The Federal Court has imposed $67,500 in penalties on the AMWU, AWU, CFMEU, CEPU and officials Greg Warren, Terry Lee, Peter Mooney and John Parker, for organising and attending protest action to pressure subcontractors into entering union agreements.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Helal v McConnell Dowell Constructors (Aust) Pty Ltd
VIC, Statement
On 28 July 2010 ABC Commissioner John Lloyd made comments with regards to the record $1.3m penalty ordered on the CFMEU, AMWU and three union officials following the West Gate Bridge dispute.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Williams v AMWU, CFMEU, Powell, Mavromatis and Stephenson
VIC, Statement
The Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC) has secured a record workplace relations penalty of $1.325 million. This is the result of a legal proceeding initiated by the ABCC in response to a protracted union demarcation dispute at the West Gate Bridge strengthening project in 2009.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for White v Powell
QLD, Statement
The Federal Magistrates Court in Brisbane imposed penalties totalling $8,800 on former CFMEU organiser Wayne Carter for contraventions of the Workplace Relations Act 1996 (WR Act) that occurred in December 2008.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Lukies v Doyle & CFMEU
National, Alert
The Independent Contractors Amendment Regulation 2010 (No 1) received Royal Assent on 15 June 2010.
National, Alert
An industry association has drawn to our attention an agreement negotiating strategy in Queensland that raises significant concerns.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for
Cozadinos v CEPU and MooneyQLD, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Lovewell v BLF and Pearson
VIC, Statement
A Full Court of the Federal Court has upheld an appeal by the ABCC. It increased a penalty against the CFMEU from $5,000 to $25,000 for unlawful industrial action and coercion in Stuart v CFMEU & Corbett.
National, Statement
Opening Statement, Senate Estimates
VIC, Statement
ABCC Commissioner John Lloyd has called on the CFMEU to comply with a Federal Court order to remove a blockade at a Melbourne building site.
National, Statement
Today, John Lloyd, PSM confirmed that he would not be reappointed to the role of ABC Commissioner when his tenure expires in September 2010
National, Alert
The Federal Court has granted further orders to prevent the CFMEU from continuing its picket line and blockade of the Melbourne Market Relocation Project (MMRP) in Epping, Victoria.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Cozadinos v Christopher, CFMEU, Hudson, McLoughlin, Reardon and Washington
VIC, Statement
The Full Court of the Federal Court has dismissed a penalty appeal by the CFMEU after they were fined for threatening a building contractor.
National, Industry news
ABC Commissioner John Lloyd addressed the AiG National Construction Conference in Melbourne.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for
Mortimore v CFMEU, Christopher, Hudson, Reardon, Setka, Spernovasilis and WashingtonNational, Alert
Employers have no obligation to sign an MOU or any other type of side deed. Those who choose to sign a side deed should be aware that this will make them non-compliant with the National Code and Guidelines. This means they will not be allowed to work on a broad range of Australian government funded construction projects.
National, Statement
The International Workers’ Memorial Day is a timely reminder that all industry stakeholders and participants have a role to play in ensuring people work in a safe environment.
National, Alert
The Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC) has released the eighth report on the use of its compliance powers.
National, Industry news
ABC Commissioner John Lloyd addressed the 30th HR Nicholls Society Annual Conference about the experience of the ABCC in regulating the building and construction industry
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for White v CFMEU, Benstead and Beattie
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Heyman v CFMEU, Washington, Hudson and Spernovasilis
National, Alert
Victoria and Western Australia continue to be the building industry’s biggest trouble spots, based on the number of legal proceedings undertaken by the ABCC in these two states.
ACT, Statement
The Full Court held an earlier decision of the Federal Magistrates Court was in error when it found that two CFMEU organisers were lawfully refused entry to the National Convention Centre site in Canberra. The ABCC alleged that the refusal was made by Iqon Pty Ltd and certain employees and officers.
National, Alert
On 29 March 2010 Fair Work Australia (FWA) handed down an important decision dealing with right of entry conditions at the Pluto LNG project on WA’s Burrup Peninsula.
National, Statement
The ABC Commissioner has emphatically rejected claims that ABCC Inspectors are biased and target workers when conducting investigations.
VIC, Statement
The CFMEU, organiser Gareth Stephenson and delegate Harry Slater were penalised $31,000 after they admitted to organising a half-day strike on the Monash Freeway Widening project on 30 April 2008.
VIC, Statement
The Federal Magistrates Court in Melbourne has reinforced employees’ rights to chose not to join a union. The CFMEU and two of its representatives were penalised $14,000 in two separate cases.
WA, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for ABCC v Abbott & Ors
National, Alert
The Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC) and the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) both play important roles in the building and construction industry. But which agency deals with which issues?
National, Alert
The Tasmanian Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 (WHS Act) was amended in December 2009 to give union officials defined powers to enter a workplace for occupational health and safety purposes.
NSW, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Darlaston v CFMEU, CFMEU (NSW), Parker, Hanlon, Kera and Mitchell
VIC, Statement
The ABCC has concluded its third legal proceeding against CFMEU organiser Robert Mates with the Federal Court penalising him $5000 for shutting down a Caulfield Grammar School building site.
National, Alert
The ABCC has created a comprehensive National Code Question and Answer fact sheet. The fact sheet addresses many of the common queries raised by building industry participants since the revised National Code Implementation Guidelines came into effect on 1 August 2009.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Cozadinos v CFMEU, Powell and Tadic
QLD, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Jenkinson v Carter and CFMEU
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for
Gregor v Berardi and CFMEUNational, Alert
Transitional arrangements applying to certain service agreements under the Independent Contractors Act 2006 (IC Act) that were due to expire on 28 February 2010 have been extended by 18 months.
WA, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Strikes at construction of the Woodside Pluto LNG Processing Plant
WA, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for
Radisich v McDonald and CFMEUWA, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for
ABCC v CFMEU, CFMEUW and McDonaldNational, Statement
Leigh Johns today wrote to the Deputy Prime Minister tendering his resignation from the position of Deputy ABC Commissioner.
National, Alert
On 23 December 2009 the Federal Court in Perth continued its earlier orders preventing the CFMEU, assistant secretary Joe McDonald and organiser Michael Buchan from being involved in industrial action at any Diploma Constructions (WA) Pty Ltd construction site.
QLD, Statement
The Federal Court in Brisbane has ordered the CFMEU and official Tim Nesbit pay penalties totalling $49,000 for coercing a subcontractor to terminate their existing lawful workplace agreement and make a CFMEU agreement.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Hardwick v CFMEU and Travers
VIC, Statement
In a further legal judgment which reinforces that illegal strike action will not be tolerated, the CFMEU and an organiser were today penalised $8500.
VIC, Statement
ABC Commissioner John Lloyd today said he was reassured to find that the courts will deal with threats and abuse towards his staff.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Wotherspoon v CFMEU, Reardon & Hudson
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Wotherspoon v CFMEU, Reardon & Hudson
National, Alert
The ABCC 2008-09 Annual Report has been tabled in the Australian Parliament. The ABCC has continued to be an active regulator and educator in ensuring workplace relations laws are upheld in the building and construction industry.
VIC, Statement
The Federal Magistrates Court in Melbourne has penalised an employee of a contractor $4000 for making a false and misleading statement about the obligation of two employees to join the CFMEU and discriminating against the employees because they had not paid union membership fees.
National, Industry news
AiG PIR National Conference Canberra 26 October 2009
National, Alert
The ABCC has issued an e-Alert about letters sent by some unions to employers in the building and construction industry. It is possible employers could be misled about the bargaining process under the Fair Work Act 2009 (FW Act).
National, Alert
The ABC Commissioner has explained the rights of employers who have recently received bargaining letters from unions.
NSW, Statement
The Federal Magistrates Court in Sydney has imposed penalties totalling $28,600 on the CFMEU, CFMEU (NSW) and organiser Sammy Manna for unlawfully threatening a concreting subcontractor on a shopping centre project with intent to coerce him and his workers to join the CFMEU.
National, Statement
Today the ABCC released its seventh report on the use of its compliance powers. The compliance powers have been used a total of 183 times - 176 compulsory examinations and 7 notices to produce documents
WA, Statement
Australian Building and Construction Commissioner John Lloyd has congratulated the builders of the New Perth Bunbury Highway (NPBH) for delivering Western Australia’s largest road infrastructure project ahead of time and on budget.
National, Alert
On 29 September 2009, the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) placed a four-month suspension on CFMEU organiser Michael Lane’s federal right of entry permit.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for
Wotherspoon v CFMEU & StephensonVIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for
White v CFMEU, Edwards, Graauwmans, Hill, Long, Murphy, Powell, Reardon, Stephenson & TadicVIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for
Shepherd v CFMEU and BellNational, Industry news
Workforce Conference, 22 September 2009 Park Hyatt Melbourne Speech by ABC Commissioner John Lloyd “Reflections on the Australian Building and Construction Commission”
VIC, Statement
The Federal Court in Melbourne has penalised the CFMEU and organiser Bob Mates for engaging in coercive conduct at a Heidelberg construction site in February 2006.
SA, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for
Radisich v CFMEU, CFMEUW and McDonaldVIC, Statement
The Full Court of the Federal Court in Melbourne has increased penalties imposed on the CFMEU and three officials by a total of $58,000. The union, divisional Secretary Bill Oliver, Steve Allen and Gerard Benstead admitted to coercing a head contractor to discontinue the engagement of a subcontractor because its employees were on AWAs.
VIC, Statement
Penalties for breaches of BCII Act at Maryvale Pulp Mill total $105,000
VIC, Statement
Today the Federal Magistrates Court in Melbourne ruled on declarations and penalties proposed under a settlement between the ABCC and the AWU, CEPU, AMWU and three union representatives. The rulings, which resulted in penalties totalling $75,000, finalise four of the five ABCC proceedings relating to the Maryvale Pulp Mill expansion project.
National, Alert
Your decision on whether or not to join a union or industrial association is a matter of choice. You cannot be forced into joining such organisations and you do not have to provide information to anyone about whether or not you are a member.
National, Alert
The new version of the Australian Government Implementation Guidelines for the National Code of Practice for the Building and Construction Industry (Guidelines) took effect on Saturday, 1 August 2009.
SA, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for
Mathers v CFMEU and Feehan VIC, Statement
Penalties totalling $15,000 were imposed on the CFMEU and senior official Noel Washington by the Federal Court yesterday.
WA, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for
Radisich v CFMEU, CFMEUW and MolinaNational, Alert
On Thursday 9 July 2009 the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Julia Gillard, released the revised Implementation Guidelines for the National Code of Practice for the Building and Construction Industry.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for
White v CFMEU and McLoughlinNational, Alert
The ABCC has a new-look website – check it out now!
WA, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Australian Building and Construction Commissioner v CFMEU, McDonald and Buchan
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Gregor v Setka
National, Alert
The Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) on 23 June 2009 overturned a decision of the Victorian Building Industry Disputes Panel (VBIDP) - Abigroup Contractors Pty Ltd v Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) [2009] AIRC 595.
National, Alert
Building and construction companies in southern Queensland will be targeted in an audit of ‘sham contracts’. The ABCC will conduct audits through to the end of October 2009 to ensure contracting arrangements in the region are lawful and legitimate.
SA, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Flynn v CFMEU and Feehan
NSW, Statement
On 11 June 2009 building industry participants in Gosford will have access to free advice about workplace relations laws.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Gregor v CFMEU and Berardi
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for
Cozadinos v CFMEU and IoannidisVIC, Statement
Penalties totalling $115,000 were today imposed by the Federal Court on the CFMEU and organiser Mr Robert Mates for coercing a head contractor. The coercion was committed by organising and threatening to organise work stoppages.
National, Statement
Australian Building and Construction Commissioner John Lloyd has cautioned industry that many construction union officials are entering workplaces without holding a current right of entry permit.
National, Alert
Over 40 union officials working in the building and construction industry across Australia appear not to hold valid federal right of entry permits.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Wotherspoon v CFMEU, Stephenson & Slater
QLD, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for
Dux v Bradley and AMWUVIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Cozadinos v CFMEU and Salta
VIC, Statement
The Federal Magistrates Court in Melbourne today ordered union shop steward Craig Johnston to pay a penalty of $7,000 for taking unlawful industrial action. A penalty of $5,000 was also imposed on the CFMEU.
National, Statement
The ABC Commissioner today rejected comments made by ACTU President Sharan Burrow regarding workplace deaths and injuries in the building and construction industry.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Wotherspoon v Brown
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for
Cozadinos v AWU, Lee, CEPU, Mooney, AMWU and DoddNational, Alert
Delegates from six building and construction industry unions have voted to hold work stoppages on 28 April 2009.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Keene v AMWU and Dodd
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for
Stuart v AWU and LeeVIC, Statement
Penalties totalling $38,500 have been imposed on the CFMEU and one of its organisers by the Federal Magistrates’ Court in Melbourne today.
VIC, Statement
Today, the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner, John Lloyd expressed concern about a deterioration in the conduct of certain participants in the Victorian building and construction industry.
National, Alert
The Federal Court in Melbourne has ordered a halt to ongoing action which has interfered with work at the West Gate Bridge Strengthening Project in Spotswood.
VIC, Statement
The Federal Magistrates Court in Melbourne has penalised Mr Michael Dempster and Mr Richard Henry $1,000 each for contravening the freedom of association provisions of the Workplace Relations Act 1996 (WR Act).
NSW, Statement
The Federal Court at Sydney yesterday handed down penalties totalling $55
NSW, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Alfred v Wakelin & Ors
National, Alert
The National Code section of the ABCC website has been revised, making it easier to navigate and get the information you need.
VIC, Statement
The Federal Court in Melbourne has imposed penalties totalling $24,750 on the CFMEU and its officials after they admitted to coercing a building company not to engage a subcontractor because its employees were on AWAs.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Cozadinos v CFMEU, Berardi and Mates
NSW, Statement
Penalties totalling $23,500 were today imposed on the CFMEU, CFMEU (NSW) and organiser, Peter Primmer. The Federal Magistrates Court penalised Mr Primmer $3,500. The CFMEU and CFMEU (NSW) were penalised $10,000 respectively.
NSW, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Alfred v Primmer, CFMEU and CFMEU NSW
National, Alert
Conditional right of entry permits have been issued to CFMEU officials in Western Australia. These permits are the first to note the restrictions handed down by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission on 17 November 2008.
NSW, Statement
In conclusion to the ABCC’s longest running proceeding, penalties imposed on the CFMEU, CFMEU (NSW) and two union officials totalling $35,250 have been upheld by the Full Federal Court. Contraventions of the freedom of association provisions of the pre-WorkChoices Workplace Relations Act 1996 (WR Act) led Justice Graham to impose these penalties.
NSW, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Hadgkiss v CFMEU, CFMEU (NSW Branch), Casper and Lane
VIC, Statement
The Federal Court in Melbourne today ordered LU Simon Builders Pty Ltd to pay penalties of $55,000.
QLD, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Wilson v Nesbet, Baker and CFMEU
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Cahill v Mates and CFMEU
QLD, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for
Thompson v Thomas, Bland and BLFQNational, Alert
The third Annual Report of the Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner was tabled in Parliament on 22 December 2008.
NSW, Statement
The Australian Industrial Relations Commission in Sydney yesterday ordered that the right of entry permit held by CFMEU organiser Andrew Quirk be suspended for one month.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Cozadinos v CFMEU & Johnston
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Wotherspoon v CFMEU, CEPU, Spernovasilis, Gray, Christopher, McLoughlin & Hudson
VIC, Statement
The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) today applied to the Melbourne Magistrate’s Court to withdraw the prosecution of Noel Washington for failing to attend an ABCC examination at the time and date specified in the Notice issued under the Building and Construction Industry Improvement Act 2005 (BCII Act).
VIC, Statement
The Federal Court today found the CFMEU contravened s.38 of the Building and Construction Industry Improvement Act 2005 (BCII Act) by engaging in unlawful industrial action at a construction site in Bundoora, Victoria.
NSW, Statement
A Full Bench of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission in a decision on 19 November 2008, upheld an appeal by the ABCC. The decision rules on the exercise of right of entry under Part 15 of the Workplace Relations Act 1996 (WR Act).
WA, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Radisich v Buchan, Heath, Molina and CFMEU
WA, Statement
The AIRC today issued an order that has significant implications for the activities of a number of CFMEU officials.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Cruse v CFMEU, Bannister, Hoffman and Fry
VIC, Statement
Yesterday, the Full Court of the Federal Court upheld an ABCC appeal [FCAFC 179]. The Full Court found that the CFMEU contravened the pre-reform Workplace Relations Act 1996 by making a claim for strike pay and organising and taking industrial action with the intent to coerce Multiplex to make the strike payments.
NSW, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Alfred v Primmer, CFMEU and CFMEU NSW
VIC, Statement
On Monday, 27 October 2008 the Federal Magistrates Court at Melbourne ordered the CFMEU to pay penalties totalling $49,550 and CFMEU shop steward Mr Jason Deans to pay $12,000 ($6,000 suspended) for offences arising out of inductions of two labour hire workers at the CSL Morgan Facility Project at Parkville in Victoria.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Stuart-Mahoney v CFMEU and Deans
SA, Statement
The Federal Court at Adelaide today imposed penalties on CFMEU official Justin Feehan for breaching the Workplace Relations Act 1996. His Honour Justice Lander found that Mr Feehan hindered and obstructed two employers at an apartment complex site in Adelaide while exercising his powers of entry.
NSW, Statement
The Federal Court at Sydney found on Friday that the Australian Workers Union (AWU) and its delegate Joseph O’Connor took unlawful industrial action at the Lake Cowal gold mine site, near West Wyalong in NSW in October and November 2005. Her Honour Justice Jagot found that the industrial action contravened s.38 of the Building and Construction Industry Improvement Act 2005, s.170MN of the Workplace Relations Act 1996 and the relevant Certified Agreement.
National, Alert
The Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC) today released its fifth report on the use of its compliance powers. The ABCC regularly reports on the use of its compliance powers. The latest report covers the period 1 October 2005 to 30 September 2009.
National, Alert
The Victorian Branch of the Plumbing Trades Employees Union (PTEU) has organised a stop work meeting to be held on Thursday, 16 October 2008. The meeting is to be held at the Dallas Brooks Hall in East Melbourne.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Cruse v CFMEU & Washington
National, Alert
The Administrative Review Council on 1 May 2008 submitted a report to the Attorney-General entitled "The Coercive Information-gathering Powers of Government Agencies." The Administrative Review Council is an Australian Government body responsible for overseeing the Australian system of administrative review.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Stuart v AWU & Ors
NSW, Statement
Penalties totalling $9,100 were imposed on the CFMEU and its representative Robert Wakelin by the Federal Court at Sydney yesterday.
VIC, Statement
On Friday the Federal Court imposed penalties totalling $63,000 on the CFMEU and its official John Parker. Both admitted to contravening the Building and Construction Industry Improvement Act 2005 (BCII Act).
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Stuart v CFMEU, Parker and Corbett
National, Statement
Nigel Hadgkiss today tendered his resignation as Deputy ABC Commissioner to the Deputy Prime Minister the Hon. Julia Gillard.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Cozadinos v Dempster and Henry
SA, Statement
CFMEU union official Justin Feehan was today found to have hindered and obstructed workers at an apartment complex site in Adelaide in May 2004.
National, Statement
The CFMEU has today issued a media release claiming that four individuals will attend an examination at the ABCC’s Melbourne headquarters.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Stuart v L.U. Simon Builders Pty Ltd
National, Alert
This e-alert is being distributed to correct misinformation that has been circulating about the rights of a member to resign from the CFMEU. The misinformation is that members must be financial in order to resign from the CFMEU. An example of this is found on the website of the Qld Branch of the CFMEU.
National, Alert
There is some confusion among building industry participants about whether or not sites can operate on rostered days off (RDOs) and designated leisure days which form part of a long weekend.
NSW, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Alfred v Conform Australia Pty Ltd & Ors
NSW, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Alfred v CFMEU & Ors
WA, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Temple v Powell, CFMEUW, McDonald and CFMEU.
WA, Statement
CFMEU & Officials ordered to pay $35,000 for Ravensthorpe strike
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Stuart v Pitt, Mates & CFMEU
National, Alert
The Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC) regularly reports on its use of compliance powers. This month, the ABCC released its fourth Report on the Exercise of Compliance Powers by the ABCC .
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Cruse v CFMEU & McLoughlin
NSW, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Alfred v Quirk
NSW, Statement
Federal Court Justice Gyles today ordered the CFMEU to pay $23,000 in damages plus interest to a subcontractor and $5,500 in penalties for a secondary boycott on a Wollongong building site in 2003. CFMEU official Michael Lane was ordered to pay an $1800 penalty.
National, Alert
CFMEU WA secretary Kevin Reynolds has given an undertaking to the AIRC that the CFMEU WA would direct assistant secretary Joe McDonald not to enter Brookfield Multiplex Constructions Pty Ltd (Multiplex) sites until he has a right of entry permit.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Hadgkiss v Buchan, Heath, Molina & CFMEU
National, Alert
The tendering and on-site requirements contained in the National Code for the Construction Industry continue to apply.
National, Alert
A large amount of agreement making is expected to take place across the building and construction industry this year when collective agreements are due to be negotiated.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Stuart-Mahoney v CFMEU & Corbett
National, Alert
A recent decision by a Full Bench of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) has provided useful guidance about what needs to be included in an entry notice.
ACT, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Hogan v Riley & Ors
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Washington and Ors v Hadgkiss (Deputy ABC Commissioner)
VIC, Statement
An application by four union officials to stop an ABCC investigation was today dismissed by the Federal Court at Melbourne. Justice Marshall also ordered the applicants to pay the ABCC’s legal costs.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Williams v CFMEU & Anor
WA, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Hadgkiss v Aldin & Ors - Perth to Mandurah Railway Project
WA, Statement
The Federal Court today ordered 91 workers who took unlawful industrial action on the Perth to Mandurah Railway Project to pay penalties of up to $10,000 each. A proportion of the penalty was suspended for six months.
QLD, Statement
The Full Court of the Federal Court today dismissed an appeal by the CFMEU. The appeal was against an earlier decision which found the union responsible for false and misleading statements to workers about their obligation to join the union.
National, Alert
The Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC) 2006-07 Annual Report was tabled in the Australian Parliament today
National, Alert
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) has released new model clause documents to assist in achieving compliance with the National Code of Practice for the Building and Construction Industry (the Code) and associated Implementation Guidelines.
National, Alert
The Victorian Trades Hall Council has organised a rally to be held on Wednesday, 26 September 2007.
National, Statement
ABC Commissioner John Lloyd today reiterated that the CFMEU’s claims of political interference by the ABCC are completely false.
VIC, Statement
The Federal Magistrates Court today ordered the CFMEU to pay $35,000 and an official to pay $7000, with $3500 suspended, for engaging in unlawful industrial action. The unlawful industrial action involved abuse of Occupation Health and Safety.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Cruse v CFMEU & Anor
WA, Statement
ABCC Media Statement for Hadgkiss v Aldin and Others.
National, Alert
The ABCC has received reports that union officials in Victoria are entering building sites at the invitation of site Occupational Health and Safety representatives as a way of avoiding entry requirements under Federal Law.
National, Alert
A Building Industry Taskforce (Taskforce) referral to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has resulted in penalties and costs totalling $210,000 against a major building company, Bovis Lend Lease.
VIC, Statement
The ABCC has initiated proceedings against the CFMEU and official Jason Deans for allegedly telling three labour hire employees they had to join to the union before they could work at a building site.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Martino v CFMEU, Mates, Berardi & Tadic
National, Alert
The Code Monitoring Group (CMG) today issued a formal warning to Baulderstone Hornibrook Pty Ltd (ACN 002 625 130) for breaching the freedom of association and right of entry provisions of the
National Code of Practice for the Construction Industry (the Code) and the
Industry Guidelines for the National Code of Practice for the Construction Industry (the Guidelines), issued 2003.
NSW, Statement
Five unions and five union representatives have been named as respondents in an ABCC proceeding alleging unlawful industrial action at the Lake Cowal gold mine site.
TAS, Statement
The Federal Magistrates Court today ordered the CEPU and Assistant State Secretary, Kevin Harkins pay a total of $19,800 in penalties.
TAS, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Carr v CEPU & Harkins
National, Alert
In an important decision yesterday the AIRC suspended the right of entry permit of Victorian CFMEU official Adrian McLoughlin.
National, Statement
The Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) today suspended CFMEU official Adrian McLoughlin’s Federal right of entry permit until 31 October 2007 and ordered him to complete appropriate training about his rights and responsibilities as a permit holder.
National, Alert
The Australian Industrial Relations Commission today suspended CFMEU official Adrian McLoughlin’s Federal right of entry permit until 31 October 2007 and ordered him to complete appropriate training about his rights and responsibilities as a permit holder.
National, Alert
On 1 September 2007 the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations will go live with online registration to assess your industrial instruments for National Code compliance. Industrial instruments are assessed against the
Australian Government Implementation Guidelines for the National Code of Practice for the Construction Industry (the Code and Guidelines).
National, Alert
The Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC) has become aware that some NSW contractors and subcontractors have been incorrectly advised about their accident insurance obligations.
WA, Statement
ABC Commissioner, John Lloyd, today published his findings about the Perth building industry’s ‘blue flu’ incident. The findings relate to the use of an industrially-motivated mass ‘sickies’ tactic at Perth’s Country Travellers Association (CTA) building site on 8 July 2005.
WA, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Conclusions in Relation to Alleged Unlawful Industrial Action at the CTA Site, Perth
WA, Statement
The ABC Commissioner made comments on the findings of the investigation into the "blue flu" incident in Perth.
National, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Bonan v Hadgkiss
National, Statement
A Full Court of the Federal Court today permanently stayed an appeal against an earlier Federal Court ruling. The earlier ruling found that Deputy ABC Commissioner, Nigel Hadgkiss, had the power to exclude a solicitor from representing a witness at an examination.
NSW, Statement
In the Federal Court at Sydney, Justice Gyles found the CFMEU and three officials guilty of secondary boycott offences.
NSW, Backgrounder
a head contractor engaged an excavating subcontractor, A & L SilvestriPty Ltd, to carry out earth moving works at a building site in Wollongong. It was alleged three local CFMEU officials, Michael Lane, Peter Primmer and David Kelly, took issue with the subcontractor for a variety of reasons, including that he was not a union member and did not have a union agreement.
ACT, Statement
The Federal Court in Sydney today ordered the CFMEU and a delegate to pay penalties of $10,000 and $2,000 respectively for attempting to force a painting contractor to make its painters join the union.
National, Alert
On Monday, 4 June 2007 an article in The Australian, "Bosses warn against return of pattern bargaining after union deal", implied that the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) had approved an agreement for the purpose of pattern bargaining. This is incorrect.
VIC, Statement
ABC Commissioner John Lloyd today refuted ETU State Secretary Dean Mighell’s claims that the ABCC “secretly” recorded an address he delivered to delegates in November last year.
National, Alert
The Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) is again reviewing a decision by the Victorian Building Industry Disputes Panel (VBIDP) on the need to pay site allowances on a particular building project.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Ponzio v B&P Caelli Pty Ltd, CFMEU, Crnac and Spernovasilis
VIC, Statement
The ABCC today won an appeal in the Federal Court. The appeal was against an earlier decision to dismiss an ABCC application in the matter of Ponzio v Caelli Construction Pty Ltd, CFMEU, Crnac, Spernovasilis.
NSW, Statement
The Federal CFMEU, NSW CFMEU and a union organiser will respond to allegations of unlawful conduct in the Federal Magistrates Court at Sydney on 24 May.
VIC, Statement
The Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (CEPU) and one of its organisers have been ordered to pay penalties of $15,400 for unlawful conduct involving the exclusion from a building site of four apprentices.
WA, Statement
The Australian Workers Union (AWU) has taken steps to modify its behaviour and contribute to industry reform as part of an agreement with the Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC).
VIC, Statement
The Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC) has commenced proceedings against the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU), three of its officials and a construction company following alleged coercion, discrimination and the termination of a contract for a prohibited reason at the Brunswick Police Station site.
VIC, Backgrounder
ABCC media backgrounder for Martino v CFMEU & Ors
NSW, Statement
On top of $23,250 in penalties, the CFMEU was today ordered to take out full page advertisements in the Illawarra Mercury newspaper to correct misleading statements it made to workers about their obligation to join a union.
QLD, Statement
The Federal Court today in Brisbane ordered the CFMEU and the CFMEU Queensland to pay penalties of $ 6,000 and $3,000 respectively for making false and misleading statements to three employees at a Gold Coast spray paint shop about their obligation to join the union. The unions were found to have contravened the freedom of association provisions of the pre-reform Workplace Relations Act 1996.
National, Alert
The Independent Contractors Act 2006 (IC Act) protects the status of independent contractors by freeing them from the constraints of industrial and employment law. This allows genuine independent contractors to operate within a commercial framework, and prevents them from being captured by state laws that deem them to be employees.
VIC, Statement
The Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC) has instituted proceedings against the CFMEU and three of its delegates over allegations of coercion at a Roche Mining (JR) Pty Ltd (RMJR) Mineral Sands Separation Plant (MSP) site near Hamilton in Victoria.
National, Alert
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) proceedings against the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU) and Edison Mission (now called IPM) for anti-competitive behaviour at the Loy Yang power station have now concluded.
National, Alert
As a building industry participant you should be aware of changes to the Building and Construction Industry Improvement Act 2005 (BCII Act) regarding your obligation to notify the ABCC of court proceedings you are involved in.
National, Alert
Proceedings taken by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) have resulted in the Federal Court imposing a penalty of $125,000 on the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU) for anti-competitive conduct.
National, Statement
The Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) today released a report into the use of its compliance powers from 1 October 2005 to 31 December 2006.
National, Alert
Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows that industrial dispute levels have fallen to a new record low. The building and construction industry appears to be experiencing a period of relative industrial peace.
National, Alert
For the second time in three months the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) has overturned decisions of the Victorian Building Industry Disputes Panel (VBIDP) about what constitutes a “project” for the purposes of site allowance. The ABCC has intervened in these AIRC cases.
National, Alert
The ABC Commissioner is concerned about a number of clearly inaccurate and false statements that have been made about the ABCC’s role and powers.
QLD, Statement
The Federal Court today published a decision on penalty against 2 respondents in Hadgkiss v Sunland Constructions (Qld) Pty Ltd & Ors [2006] FCA 1566.
National, Alert
The recent airing by the CFMEU of a misleading television advertisement demonstrates that the union is prepared to manipulate serious OHS issues to advance its political agenda.
National, Industry news
In August 2001, the Cole Royal Commission into the Building and Construction Industry (the Royal Commission) was established to inquire into and report on the nature, extent and effect of any unlawful or otherwise inappropriate conduct in the building and construction industry.
National, Statement
The Australian Building and Construction Commissioner John Lloyd today expressed his disappointment that the CFMEU has aired a highly misleading television advertisement.
National, Statement
In its first nine months of operation, the Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC) has established itself as an active regulator of the building and construction industry.
National, Statement
The Federal Court today ruled that Deputy Australian Building and Construction Commissioner, Nigel Hadgkiss had the power to exclude a solicitor from representing a witness at an examination and there was a proper basis for him to use his discretion to exclude in this case.
National, Alert
A recent decision of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission ("AIRC") has provided guidance on the factors to be considered in determining what is a project for the purposes of determining the amount of site allowance payable under a certified agreement.
VIC, Industry news
Australian Building and Construction Commissioner, John Lloyd, wrote a letter to the Building Commissioner, Mr. Tony Arnel, of the Building Commission Victoria, in relation to a review of the Code of Practice for the Building and Construction Industry - Victoria.
WA, Statement
Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC), John Lloyd, today announced that proceedings were filed in the Federal Court of Australia by the ABCC against 107 employees working on the Perth-Mandurah railway project.
VIC, Statement
Today the ABCC planned a free information seminar in Geelong. This was part of a series aimed at educating contractors and workers about the National Code of Practice for the Construction Industry.
National, Statement
The Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC), John Lloyd today released his findings in relation to an ABCC investigation. The investigation concerned the deduction of four hours pay for a work stoppage on a Hooker Cockram building site.
VIC, Statement
The ABC Commissioner, John Lloyd, issued a statement about claims that workers at a Bendigo Mines site had their pay docked for being absent from the site during working hours.
VIC, Statement
The Federal Court published its decision in Carr v AMWU and Others. Finkelstein J imposed significant penalties on the AMWU and four union officials.