16th Feb 2012, 9:55 AM – Representatives Building and Construction Industry Improvement Amendment (Transition to Fair Work) Bill 2012 - Second Reading - Read a second time

The majority voted in favour of a motion to read the bill a second time.

This means that the majority of MPs agree with the main idea in the bill, which was to abolish the Australian Building and Construction Commission (‘ABCC’) and create the Office of the Fair Work Building Industry Inspectorate.

The bill was subsequently agreed to without further division.( Third reading agreed to without division. ) This means that the bill passed the House and will now be sent to the Senate for their consideration.

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