Master Electricians Australia has welcomed the passing of the Registered Organisations Commission (ROC) Bill, and has now also urged crossbench senators to vote to reinstate the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC).

Overnight the Senate passed the Government’s ROC Bill, and legislation to reinstate the ABCC is set to be voted on in the near future.

MEA Manager of Advisory Services Jason O’Dwyer said that MEA members welcomed the passing of the Registered Organisations Bill, which will subject union officials to the same level of disclosure and transparency standards as those in the corporate sector.

“Master Electricians Australia has always advocated for union officials to face the same level of regulation as company directors and we commend the Senate for taking action on this issue,” Mr O’Dwyer said.

“We have seen countless examples of unions such as the CFMEU and ETU flout conventional ethics and act with total impunity.

“This is a long overdue piece of legislation and we look forward to seeing unions now held to the same level of scrutiny as all other corporations.”

Mr O’Dwyer said that it was now time for the Senate to reinstate the ABCC, warning that the Senate’s job was only half done.

“As far as MEA is concerned, the job is only half done and the Senate now needs to pass the Government’s legislation to reinstate the ABCC.

“For too long the CFMEU and ETU have been allowed to display thuggish behaviour on construction sites across Australia.

“There are currently 113 CFMEU officials before the courts, suspected of more than 1,100 contraventions of the law, which is why MEA fully supports the reintroduction of an industry watchdog.

“Since the ABCC was abolished in 2012, industrial disputes have risen by 40 per cent and in the process productivity in the building and construction sector has nose-dived.

“Without an industry watchdog, militant unions will continue to push up the costs of public infrastructure and private projects.

“If the Senate fails to reinstate the ABCC, union officials will continue their bullying behaviour, productivity will continue to dwindle and taxpayers and business investors will continue to foot the bill for the disruptive actions of unions such as the CFMEU and ETU.”

Jason O’Dwyer is available for interview. Please phone SAS Group on 07 3221 9222 or 0467 792 013.