Denita Wawn, CEO of Master Builders Australia, discussed the CFMEU rallies in response to the government's decision to place the construction branch of the CFMEU into administration. Wawn expressed disappointment over the rallies, especially given the support of both major political parties for the administration. She emphasised the need for a lawful union in the construction industry to prevent cost increases and disruptions.

Key Takeaways:

1. Rallies and Disappointment: Wawn was disappointed by the rallies and the involvement of other union leaders, despite legislative support for the administration of CFMEU.

2. Importance of Lawful Unions: She stressed the necessity of having a law-abiding union to work collaboratively with employers and avoid ongoing disruptions and cost increases in the construction sector.

3. Meetings and Ongoing Monitoring: Master Builders Australia is holding ongoing meetings to monitor the situation, emphasising the need for more legislative protections and a strong regulator post-administration.

4. Industrial Action Concerns: Wawn warned that the rallies could lead to unprotected industrial action, encouraging employers to report any breaches of the Fair Work Act.

5. Role of the Administrator: The CFMEU's administrator does not support the protest, and Wawn urged careful observation of rally participants for potential legal violations.

Full Transcript

Event: Interview with Gemma Veness, ABC News Mornings
Date: 27 August 2024, 7.12am AEST
Speakers: Denita Wawn, CEO Master Builders Australia
Topics: CFMEU rallies

Gemma Veness, host ABC News Mornings: That was the Prime Minister taking questions in Western Sydney there with today's co-ordinated rallies one of the topics covered. Now these rallies are against the government's decision to put the construction branch of the CFMEU into administration. The Prime Minister says his government respects the work that construction workers do but wants to make sure that their union is free of corruption. Let's get more on that strike, which will begin in a bit over an hour's time. Denita Wawn is the Chief Executive Officer of the Master Builders Association, and joins us now. Denita Wawn, thank you for your time. Now, the Treasurer was also asked about these rallies this morning, he says that they expected bl- back, blow back rather, for appointing administrators. Were you expecting this action?

Denita Wawn, CEO Master Builders Australia: Yes, unfortunately, we were. We knew that there would be unrest. It is disappointing that other union leaders have decided to join this action. It's disappointing that when you have legislation that was passed by the majority of parliament, with the majority support of both major parties, is being disregarded. This is an important step that we knew would cause unrest, but as I said, disappointing to see other union leaders are inciting attendance at these rallies that are more than likely unlawful.

Gemma: The Master Builders Association was meeting this morning. Has that meeting taken place as yet? And if so, what was discussed there?

Denita: Well, we've got meetings both this morning and this afternoon and ongoing throughout the next couple of weeks, really, to keep an eye on what is going on. We know that the appointment of the administrator last Friday is just a first step. There is a huge challenge before all of us in ensuring that this union is cleaned up but is still there to represent the workers in our sector. But there is more to be done, also on a legislative basis as well. We think there needs to be more protections, and ultimately, we believe once an administrator has completed, that we also need a strong regulator to ensure that the corruption, the criminal elements, and the ongoing breaches of industrial relations don't reoccur. Four Royal Commissions have said that we need special laws in this industry, unfortunately and certainly, we need to pursue those. But our focus today goes to our members on the ground to ensure that there is not undue disruption to building around the country.

Gemma: Some other unions are engaged in this, as you're saying, what are they telling you about their reasoning behind these rallies?

Denita: They, of course, are concerned that there has been parliamentary intervention. It's disappointing, however, when you see the support of the ALP and the ACTU with this intervention that some union leaders have decided to ignore the importance of administration by the CFMEU. We all recognise that it's critical that you have law abiding unions working in conjunction with employers to make industries better. That is what we have not had in our sector, and that is what we hope to have with this new administrator. It is critical that we work collaboratively together. We've got a massive job to do as an industry, building homes, building schools, building runways, as the Prime Minister just spoke about, but if we do not have a lawful union, then we'll constantly get cost increases and disruption that is not good for anyone.

Gemma: Pay deals, though, made under the CFMEU, they've been put in doubt, haven't they though, is this part of the protest?

Denita: Well, the CFMEU administrator, I understand, is not supporting this protest. It was originally under the banner of the CFMEU, but since the administrator has come in, they are not supporting this rally. So we are encouraging not only the administrator, but regulators to keep an eye on who is at this rally, particularly given it's likely to be an unprotected industrial action, that those who are organising and attending it, if they are employees or officials of the CFMEU, that weren't otherwise on that list of people to terminate roles on Friday, they have got to hold themselves to account in potentially breaking the law. We also encourage employers that if they hear anything that is a breach of the Fair Work Act, and we notified our members yesterday of what their rights and obligations are, they also need to be talking to regulators as well. We're concerned that there will be industrial action ongoing over the next few weeks, and we need to stamp this out as quickly as possible.

Gemma: More to come on this. Those rallies begin in just over an hour. Denita Wawn, Chief Executive Officer of the Master Builders Association. Thank you for joining us.

Denita: Thank you.