The building and construction industry has seen a 400 per cent spike in days lost due to industrial disputes, according to ABS data.  The figure demonstrates the need for the government to bring back the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner, Master Builders Australia told a Senate Committee hearing on Tuesday.

Master Builders Australia CEO Wilhelm Harnisch told the Senate Inquiry into the government’s bills to bring back the ABCC that the building industry is alarmed at the worsening industrial environment on building sites since the last Senate Inquiry into the bills in February.

"Put simply, things have not improved, and in many respects have worsened. Without the ABCC, this trend will continue and the community will keep paying more for schools, hospitals and roads," said Harnisch.

Harnisch said that since February 2016, the number of days lost to industrial action has increased dramatically according to ABS data. The most recent data showed the construction industry as having the highest number which comprised two thirds of the national total. 

"It is simply unacceptable. It’s the community that suffers not just from more expensive community facilities but from the economic damage as unacceptable and unlawful building union practices holds back productivity and job growth in the nation’s third largest industry," said Harnisch.

"In the past week we have seen Fair Work Building and Construction in the courts trying to stop rolling CFMEU stoppages targeting a contractor in Queensland. Earlier this year the union unleashed similar industrial tactics delaying construction of Commonwealth Games facilities that will cost taxpayers in the hundreds of thousands," he said.

Harnisch also told the Senate Inquiry how recent court cases also highlight how small businesses are the victims of building union bullying.

"Evidence heard by the Heydon Royal Commission highlighted the plight of small building firms without a strong cop on the beat to protect them or the deep pockets necessary to take defensive legal action," he said. "The Royal Commission also heard evidence from the Police about their inability to tackle the building unions to ensure they comply with the rule of law like normal people. This is why, following a double dissolution election that reaffirmed the Government’s mandate to bring back the ABCC, Master Builders continues to strongly back the return of a tough cop on the beat on building sites."

See also:

Opinion: Supporting the return of the ABCC

Bring back the construction cop 

Opinion: Reinstating the ABCC isn't the answer