Construction industry warned of new building code: Master Builders

All entities in the building and construction industry, including head contractors, subcontractors and suppliers who wish to tender for government funded projects must ensure that any enterprise agreement entered into from 24 April 2014 complies with the new Code because of its retrospective nature.

Provisions in the Code relating to workplace arrangements, the contents of agreements and workplace practices will have a retrospective effect as will the provisions about dispute resolution.

Master Builders strongly supports the new Code because it will eliminate restrictive work practices that drive up the costs of construction and will strengthen the capacity of all entities in the building industry to 'say no' to union stand over tactics.

Master Builders urges head contractors, subcontractors and suppliers to seize this opportunity to develop enterprise agreements without excessive, restrictive and unproductive conditions dictated by union EBAs.

Even though the Code will be given effect by the passing of the government's bills to restore the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC), in the meantime enterprise agreements must comply with the Code on the basis that the ABCC bills are expected to be passed by the Senate after 1 July 2014.