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For more information contact  DEEWR Page last modified 9 October 2008

News

9 October 2008

Discussion Paper Released

The Hon Murray Wilcox QC has today released his Discussion Paper inviting written submissions by 5 December 2008. Mr Wilcox has been appointed by the Australian Government to undertake extensive consultations with industry stakeholders to ensure the transition to the new arrangements for the building and construction industry are orderly, effective and robust.

For more information view the Discussion Paper, the related media releases.

24 July 2008

Terms of Reference ready for ‘Wilcox Consultations’

Key step towards incorporating the Australian Building and Construction Commission into Fair Work Australia.

Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, The Hon Julia Gillard MP, released the final terms of reference for the Consultation on the Transition to Fair Work Australia for the Building and Construction Industry on 24 July 2008.

The Government has announced that the Australian Building and Construction Commission will be retained until 31 January 2010.

After that date, it will be replaced with a specialist building and construction division within the inspectorate of Fair Work Australia (‘the Specialist Division’).

Earlier this year, Minister Gillard announced that the Hon Murray Wilcox QC would undertake extensive consultations surrounding the creation of the Specialist Division for building and construction within Fair Work Australia.

For more information view the Terms of Reference ready for Wilcox Consultations media release. 
 

22 May 2008

Government Announces Consultation on Transition to Fair Work Australia for Building and Construction Industry

The Australian Government has announced an extensive consultation process with industry stakeholders to ensure the orderly and effective transition from the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) to a specialist building and construction division of Fair Work Australia (‘the Specialist Division’).

The ABCC will be retained until 31 January 2010 when it will be replaced by the Specialist Division.

The Honourable Murray Wilcox QC has been asked to conduct the consultation process and report by the end of March 2009.

Draft terms of reference for the consultative process have been announced and are currently available for public comment.

Subject to feedback received on the terms of reference, the Government will ask his Honour to consult and report on all matters related to the creation of the Specialist Division including but not limited to:

  • The operational structure of the Specialist Division and its relationship with other parts of Fair Work Australia;
  • The independence and accountability of the Specialist Division;
  • The need, if any, for external monitoring, review or oversight of the Specialist Division;
  • The scope of investigations and compliance activities to be undertaken by the Specialist Division;
  • The powers required by the Specialist Division and its inspectors for the purpose of conducting investigations and compliance activities;
  • The rights of persons who are subject to the investigations and compliance activities of the Specialist Division;
  • The responsibilities of the officers of the Specialist Division;
  • The reporting requirements of the Specialist Division;
  • The resolution of disputes and complaints about the activities of the Specialist Division;
  • The use of information collected by the Specialist Division in its investigations;
  • The commencement of proceedings by the Specialist Division;
  • The interaction of the Specialist Division with other federal enforcement agencies such as the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, the Australian Taxation Office, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and with relevant State enforcement agencies;
  • The likely resources to be required by the Specialist Division and the ways of ensuring those resources are efficiently and effectively allocated;
  • The best ways of ensuring high quality personnel are recruited to and retained by the Specialist Division and are properly trained and supervised; and
  • The best manner of ensuring an orderly transition between the ABCC and the Specialist Division.

Feedback on the proposed Terms of Reference closes at 10.00am on Monday 30 June 2008.

For more information view the Transition to Fair Work Australia for building and construction industry media release.