“The IEU is disappointed at the current position adopted by the Parliamentary Labor Party in relation to the building industry watchdog” said Independent Education Union Federal Secretary Lynne Rolley.
“The Howard Government has given its watchdog excessive powers to monitor allegations of inappropriate behaviour in the building industry.”
The Howard laws can force anyone 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 Ms Rolley
“The current Howard Government watchdog laws must be removed,” she said
The IEU believes that where industry ‘regulation’ is necessary, it should operate in a fair and transparent manner.
“Unlike the current Howard Government’s building industry watchdog, future regulation of the building or any other industry should not deny people basic human rights.”
“The IEU would hope that the Parliamentary Labor Party recognizes the extreme failings of the current arrangements and commit to redressing this issue at the beginning of its office, if elected, not in three years time.” she said
Contact details
Chris Watt
Assistant Federal Secretary
Ph: 03 9254 1830
Fax: 03 9254 1835
ieu@ieu.org.au