Master Builders Australia (MBA) has criticised the amendments made to the Building and Construction Industry Improvement Amendment (Transition to Fair Work) Bill by the Greens, claiming it will hand too much power to the unions and stifle economic growth.
Wilhelm Harnisch, MBA chief executive officer, said those who had voted for the last-minute changes had failed the community in Australia.
"The unions will be able to pressure employers to settle matters, including issues of coercion, reinforcing the very behaviour the law is designed to combat," Mr Harnisch claimed.
He added that the need for a powerful regulatory body to ensure the building industry works smoothly has been ignored by the government, and expressed his disappointment in the power given to union leaders.
Mr Harnisch is just one of a chorus of industry voices slating the government's move, with Housing Industry Association industrial relations spokesman David Humphrey also expressing concern over the leeway given to unions in terms of cases which involve coercion or intimidation.
Posted by Steve Douglas
