National Interest

Of all the Howard government's changes to workplace relations, none were as contentious as the special laws drawn up for the building industry, which led to the creation of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner. Critics see the Commissioner as an Orwellian figure with excessive powers designed to smash trade unions; supporters say the watchdog has brought peace and order to an industry characterised by lawlessness. The Rudd government has committed to keep the Commissioner until 2010, when the office will be replaced by a specialist construction division within Fair Work Australia - that's Labor's promised one-stop shop industrial relations body. Former Federal Court Judge Murray Wilcox, QC, was appointed to help the shape the new inspectorate through consultations with industry players, and in a bid to stir up debate he's just released a discussion paper.

Guests

Murray Wilcox, QC
Former Federal Court judge

Further Information

Proposed Building and Construction Division of Fair Work Australia
Discussion Paper

Presenter

Peter Mares

Producer

James Panichi

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