20th Mar 2012, 6:15 PM – Senate Building and Construction Industry Improvement Amendment (Transition to Fair Work) Bill 2012 - Agree to and pass the bill

The majority voted in favour of a motion that the remaining stages of the bill be agreed to and that it be passed in the Senate.

Since the bill has already passed in the House of Representatives, the bill will now become law.

The bill abolishes the Australian Building and Construction Commission (‘ABCC’) and creates the Office of the Fair Work Building Industry Inspectorate.

Background to the bill

The ABCC was originally established by the Coalition Government in 2005 in response to the Royal Commission into the Building and Construction Industry, which found that there was “widespread disregard of the rule of law” within the industry.( Summary of Findings and Recommendations (1.9MB). For a more general introduction on the ABCC, see the Wikipedia page. )

The Labor Government promised to abolish the ABCC when they were elected in 2007 and this bill reflects that promise.( Supporters condemn dismantling of ABCC – Lateline report)

References