Reforms to Queensland’s industrial relations laws will pave the way for safer, more productive worksites and help boost community confidence, as industry tackles arguably the biggest pipeline of work in the state’s history.
“The shocking allegations made so far at the CFMEU Inquiry prove that for too long, union officials have abused workplace health and safety laws, and weaponised safety for industrial purposes on worksites, allowing for a culture of bullying, intimidation and violence,” Master Builders Deputy CEO Michael Hopkins said.
“The recommendations will crack down on union violence and misconduct, including by the CFMEU, strengthen protections for whistleblowers, and ensure union officials are fit and proper to hold their positions and comply with right of entry laws. These changes will support reforms we have been advocating for nationally.”
Mr Hopkins said Master Builders also welcomed the reforms to Queensland’s WorkCover scheme, strengthening the claims management process, tightening powers to crack down on fraud, and boosting the rehabilitation and return-to-work process, better supporting workers to return to work safely and sooner – especially in complex cases of psychological injury.
“The reforms will help small and family businesses by potentially saving more than $1.46 billion a year in hikes on premiums, bringing Queensland into line with the successful schemes in Victoria and New South Wales, and sustaining workers’ compensation in our state for the long-term.
“These reforms will complement Queensland’s already strong workplace health and safety laws, including a new Code of Practice for managing psychosocial hazards, which protects workers’ safety on our building sites.”