Civil construction boss Damian Long grilled as Queensland hearings begin after two-month break
Long said his organization has raised concerns with the government about BPICs’ “strong violations” of federal workplace laws regarding coercion and adverse action.
This relates specifically to requirements to “force downwards in the supply chain” and effectively force contractors to comply with their terms for receiving work from the government.
Long said his organization had obtained, through a lawyer, the view of the then Australian Building and Construction Commission that “there was potential non-compliance”.
After raising this concern, Long said he had received Crown Law advice from the Ministry of Housing and Works stating that “it was legal” but refused to explain this to him.
Following this, Long says the words “not necessarily” began to creep into the government’s conversations about policy.
“So it’s an ‘aspirational document. What we want you to do is do your best to comply with it and also use your usual best efforts to ensure that the supply chain complies with it,'” says Long.
Crown Law recommendations on other elements of the BPIC policy were also raised by Australian Workers Union state secretary Stacey Schinnerl at the last public hearing; The government also refused to outline it.
After some more talk about the “penalty points” proposed for contractors under the policies, the investigation adjourns for lunch until 2pm.
