Bill
Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Bill 2013 [No. 2]
lapsed, as at 2016-04-18. Employment portfolio.
- Sponsor
- Not recorded
- Portfolio
- Employment
Recorded stages
- introduced — 2016-02-02
- second reading — 2016-02-02
- second reading — 2016-02-03
- second reading — 2016-02-04
- second reading — 2016-02-04
- third reading — 2016-02-04
- introduced — 2016-02-04
- second reading — 2016-02-04
- other — 2016-04-17
- other — 2016-04-18
- second reading — 2016-04-18
- second reading — 2016-04-18
- second reading — 2016-04-18
Divisions
- Rob Mitchell If it suits the House, I will state the question in the form that the amendment be agreed to. The question now is that the amendment be agreed to. Russell Matheson The building and construction industry employs more than a million people, representing approximately nine per cent of the Australian workforce. It is a critical part of the fabric that makes this country productive, prosperous and internationally competitive. The people of Macarthur understand the importance of the building and construction sector to the economy. They know that cost blowouts and project delays as a result of industrial bullying cost time and money, which ultimately costs us all. I stand here today, proud to be part of a coalition government which recognises the importance of an industry that is vital to job creation and essential to Australia's economy. I believe the Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Bill 2013 [No. 2] is a positive step forward. It encourages productivity and high levels of employment in the building and construction industry. It will ensure that the government's policy to deliver the infrastructure of the 21st century is delivered. In my electorate alone, this bill will protect jobs and investment by ensuring thousands of employers and workers in the industry can get on with the job without fear of intimidation. One of the most crucial parts of this bill is the regulation to uphold and promote respect for the law to ensure respect for the rights of everyone in the building industry. It contains provisions to ensure that unlawful actions, including unlawful industrial actions, are dealt with appropriately. It also ensures the ability for the courts to impose significant penalties for individuals and organisations that participate in this unlawful action. The Australian Building and Construction Commission was a strong and productive watchdog. It was established by the coalition in 2005 following the 2002 Royal Commission into the Bu — 2016-02-04, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 84, noes 52
- Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Bill 2013 [No. 2] and another - Second Reading - Agree with the bills' main idea — 2016-02-04, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 86, noes 53
- The majority voted to speed up the passage of the bills so that they could immediately vote on whether to pass it. In parliamentary jargon, they voted to suspend the [standing and sessional orders](http://www.peo.gov.au/learning/fact-sheets/standing-orders.html) that would have stopped the bills from being passed immediately (ordinarily, they couldn't be passed until the next sitting day). ### What were the bills about? The bills re-institute a workplace relations framework that was first put in place back in 2005. Among other things, they re-establish the [Australian Building and Construction Commissioner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Office_of_the_Australian_Building_and_Construction_Commissioner) and re-introduce provisions dealing with unlawful [industrial action](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_action) and coercion that are specific to the building industry. Read more in the [bills digest](http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd1314a/14bd034). — 2016-02-04, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 84, noes 54
- Christopher Pyne I move: That the bill be now read a third time. Clare O'Neil Could I just start by expressing my absolute disgust at those on the other side trying to gag my contribution to this bill. Deputy Speaker, I represent 100,000 people in this chamber. Christopher Pyne I move: That the question be put. — 2016-02-04, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 83, noes 54
- Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Bill 2013 [No. 2] and another - Third Reading - Pass the bills — 2016-02-04, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 84, noes 53
- Christopher Pyne I ask leave of the House to move a motion requesting that the Senate resume consideration of the Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Bill 2013 [No. 2], and the Building and Construction Industry (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2013 [No. 2]. Tony Smith Is leave granted? Tony Burke We have made it clear that we are ready to debate this in the Senate so, on that basis, leave is granted. Leave granted. Christopher Pyne I thank the House, and I move: That: (1) the House requests the Senate to resume consideration of the bills entitled a Bill for an Act to re-establish the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner, and for related purposes, and a Bill for an Act to deal with consequential and transitional matters arising from the enactment of the Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Act 2013, and for related purposes, which were transmitted to the Senate for its concurrence during the last session of the Parliament; and (2) the House's requests be conveyed to the Senate in a separate message for each bill. Adam Bandt Mr Speaker, I move that— Christopher Pyne I move: That the question be now put. Tony Smith The question is that the motion be put. — 2016-04-18, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 85, noes 55
- Tony Smith The question now is that the motion moved by the Leader of the House be agreed to. — 2016-04-18, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 85, noes 55
- Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Bill 2013 [No. 2] and one other - Second Reading - Agree with the bills' main idea — 2016-04-18, Senate: negative, ayes 34, noes 36
Plain-language summary
Written by a model from the explanatory memorandum; not the record, as at 2016-02-02.
This bill is part of a package that would bring back the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC).
The package would replace the current industry regulator with a new body that has stronger powers and higher penalties for unlawful conduct in the building sector.
The explanatory memorandum says the package builds on two earlier Acts, but does not specify a start date for the changes.
- Re-establishes the Australian Building and Construction Commission as the industry regulator.
- Restores higher penalties for building industry participants who break industrial laws.
- Introduces specific provisions on unlawful action and coercion in the building industry.
Participants in the building and construction industry, including employers, workers, and unions.
Sources
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