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’.
In his opening statement Mr Johns told the Committee that one of his first initiatives as ABC Commissioner had been to terminate the ABCC’s long-standing practice of referring wages and entitlements claims to the Fair Work Ombudsman, and that his agency would now investigate these matters where they relate to building and construction industry participants.
‘As a citizen-centric agency, the ABCC will not be turning away any citizen in the building and construction industry. We will promote harmonious, equitable practices on building sites and tackle issues including sham contracting and underpayment of building workers,’ Mr Johns said.
While he reaffirmed the role of the ABCC to operate as a ‘tough cop on the beat’, he also stated that he is keen to work on other initiatives that will promote industry-wide ‘fair and productive’ building and construction work. These include:
- the publication of an ABCC litigation policy to guide decisions relating to prosecutions;
- the ABCC hosting a government and industry round-table aimed at eliminating sham contracting in the building and construction industry;
- Commissioner Johns presiding over all compulsory examinations conducted by the ABCC.
‘I am determined to work hard with building industry participants to ensure that building work is carried out fairly, efficiently and productively for the benefit of all building industry participants and for the benefit of the Australian economy as a whole,’ Mr Johns said.
‘Having regard to the matters presently under investigation and being litigated by the ABCC it is clear to me that the ABCC continues to operate in, and seeks to regulate, a commercial sector that continues to require cultural reform.’
Full copy of Commissioner Johns’ opening statement to the Senate Committee: