The Hon Julia Gillard MP
Minister for Education. Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
Minister for Social Inclusion
Deputy Prime Minister
3 April, 2009
Media release
Wilcox reports to Government on transition consultation
The Minister for Employment & Workplace Relations, Julia Gillard today released the ‘Transition to Fair Work Australia for the Building and Construction Industry Report’.
In May 2008, the Minister asked the Honourable Murray Wilcox QC, former Federal Court Judge, to undertake consultation and prepare a report on matters related to the creation of a Specialist Division of the Inspectorate of Fair Work Australia.
The Government received the ‘Transition to Fair Work Australia for the Building and Construction Industry Report’ from the Honourable Murray Wilcox QC on Tuesday 31 March 2009 for its consideration.
At the Workplace Relations Ministerial Council (WRMC) meeting today in Adelaide, the Minister will ask State and Territory Ministers to consider the report and respond by June 2009.
At the last election, the Government made a commitment to retain the Australian Building and Construction Commission until 31 January 2010 and to replace it at that time with a Specialist Division of the Inspectorate of Fair Work Australia.
The Government asked the Honourable Murray Wilcox QC to conduct extensive consultations with industry stakeholders to ensure that the transition to the new arrangements will be orderly, effective and robust.
The Minister thanked the Honourable Murray Wilcox QC for his considerable work on this report and for his thoughtful and balanced set of recommendations.
The Rudd Labor Government is committed to ensuring that all participants in the building and construction industry comply with the Australia’s workplace relations laws to the letter.
The Rudd Government has no tolerance for conduct which breaks the law whether it be unlawful industrial action or underpayment of employees.
It is the intention of the Rudd Labor Government to always have a tough cop on the beat in the building and construction industry.
A copy of the ‘Transition to Fair Work Australia for the Building and Construction Industry Report’ is available at: www.workplace.gov.au/wilcox
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