CFMEU High Court decision welcomed by industry

The Australian Constructors Association (ACA) and Ai Group have welcomed the unanimous High Court decision to uphold the validity of the federal government’s legislation that placed the CFMEU (Construction & General Division) into administration, with ACA CEO Jon Davies saying that the ruling brings much-needed certainty to an industry facing major financial pressure and productivity challenges.

“Workers should be respected for the work they do and be able to do it in a safe environment free from harassment, violence, intimidation and threat,” Davies said. “It is time to move past individual agendas and focus on collective progress. This ruling clears the way for that to happen.”

Also welcoming the decision was Ai Group Chief Executive Innes Willox, saying it “comprehensively validates the legal legitimacy of the decision to place various branches of the CFMEU’s construction division into administration”. He added, “The union’s history of outrageous misconduct and its entanglement with criminal elements must now serve as a catalyst for decisive and lasting change.”

Regarding the significance of the ruling and next steps, Willox said, “Suffice it to say that industry has, to date, been underwhelmed by the achievements of the administration. Beyond addressing criminality, there is a real sense that the administration has shown far too much acceptance of continuing a ‘business as usual’ approach to the CFMEU’s practices.

“The government must now take concrete steps to ensure the CFMEU’s failures are never repeated — in any sector or union.”

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