TIGHTENING up union corruption in the construction industry is so crucial that it is worth potentially heading to an early election for, says Wright MP Scott Buchholz.
Mr Buchholz on Monday spoke up in support of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s moves to bring MPs and Senators back to Canberra on April 18 in a final bid to get Labor and Greens support for union corruption legislation.
Mr Turnbull will dissolve both houses of parliament if the Australian Building and Construction Commission bill and the Registered Organisations Bill are not passed.
The Budget has been brought forward to May 3 because a double dissolution must be done on or before May 11.
If a double dissolution occurs, the election is expected to be held on July 2.
Mr Buchholz applauded Mr Turnbull’s strong action on the issue and said the reforms were crucial for the local economy, with the region’s rapid growth making it more important than ever to tighten up on union corruption in the construction industry.
“After talking with local sub-contractors I know that this is needed and wanted by the ‘little guys’ out there trying to go about their business – all they want is to do a job and get paid for that job, fair and square,” he said.
“Restoring the Australian Building and Construction Commission is critical for the healthy growth of our region – this reform will pave the way for more affordable housing, more jobs in construction, more infrastructure and more local investment.
“This is crucial for our local economy and if it triggers a double dissolution early election then so be it – we need these reforms to go through for the good of our families, for our workers and our communities.”
Mr Buchholz said it was time for Labor and the Greens to stop playing politics with the region’s economic future.
“The construction industry, which employs one million Australians and is the third-biggest contributor to economic growth, is vital to the transition to the new economy,” he said.
“Since the ABCC was abolished in 2012, the number of days lost to industrial disputes has increased by 34 per cent.
“The ABCC Bills were introduced in the first week of parliament this year but they could not be dealt with earlier because Labor, the Greens and the cross bench sent it to committee for a fifth review.
“The time has come to move this issue forward – no more stalling, no more games with our small businesses.”
