Building Industry Watchdog Denies Basic Human Rights

"The previous federal government, led by John Howard, gave its building industry watchdog excessive powers to monitor allegations of inappropriate behaviour in the building industry" said Independent Education Union Federal Secretary Chris Watt.

The laws can force anyone, including members of the public, to hand over documents, provide information or answer questions.

The laws mean that ordinary workers can be served with a notice that forces them to appear before the Building Industry Taskforce and be questioned about a workplace issue.

The laws allow these interrogation sessions to be held in private and workers can be told that they have to answer questions under oath and have no "right to remain silent".

If workers don't comply they can be fined or imprisoned.

"These kind of powers are usually reserved for bodies investigating terrorism or serious crime. Now carpenters, electricians, plumbers and many other trades are subject to these powers in their ordinary everyday Australian workplaces " said Chris Watt.

“Extraordinarily, a member of the public who witnessed a building site conversation in Victoria has been interrogated, refused the right to silence and threatened with gaol if questions were not answered.” 

"The watchdog laws must be removed now, not in 2010" he said.

The IEUA believes that where industry ‘regulation' is necessary, it should operate in a fair and transparent manner.

“As an example of the nonsense of these laws, the watchdog imposed fines of up to $28,000 on 107 workers on the Perth-Mandurah rail line when they protested about a life or death safety issue at their worksite”

"The IEUA urges the Labor Party to recognize the extreme failings of the current arrangements and immediately redress this issue” he said

“Another 18 months of the ABCC will only provide for further potential of denial of human rights.  Building workers don’t need a review by recently retired Federal Court judge, Murray Wilcox QC, they need rights like all other Australians” said Chris Watt

Contact

Chris Watt                                                       0419259143

Federal Secretary                                             02 6273 3107 

For more information on the building unions' campaign: http://www.constructingrights.com/