The National Union of Students today is horrified that the Liberals have passed legislation to reinstate the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) with the support of One Nation Senators, the Nick Xenophon team, Liberal Democrat David Leyonhjelm and Victorian Senator Derryn Hinch.

With the passage of the ABCC construction workers and young apprentices will be worse off, with union protections and support being curtailed.

“The ABCC will discourage the employment of apprentices and local workers, limiting the opportunities for young Australians to enter the building and construction industry.” Said Robby Magyar, National Welfare Officer of the National Union of Students.

The ABCC is a vicious watchdog over the activities of the CFMEU and their members. It can interrogate union members over every move they make, and deprives workers of their right to silence. When the ABCC first existed under the Howard government, construction worker deaths increased by more than 50% from 2004-2007.
Industrial laws are already extremely draconian, with the FairWork Courts outlawing strikes under almost any circumstance and slapping fines on unions that dare to stand up for their members.

“The ABCC is part of an ideological pursuit against the union movement, not some grand scheme to help workers.” says Magyar.

With 13% of young Australians unemployed and a further 20% underemployed, the Liberal Government should be doing more to assist young workers and apprentices to enter industries like construction and building, not focusing its attention on limiting the bargaining and strike power of unions looking out for their members.

“Unemployment and underemployment in Australia are real issues, yet the Liberals seem more concerned with attacking unions and allowing unscrupulous employers to hire cheap exploitative labour from overseas.” says Sinead Colee, National President of the National Union of Students.

The National Union of Students encourages all University, TAFE and high school students to stand in solidarity with the CFMEU, apprentices and workers in calling out the ABCC.

We the undersigned stand in solidarity with the CFMEU, workers, and apprentices:

Sinead Colee, NUS National President
Robby Magyar, NUS National Welfare Officer
Max Murphy, NUS National Education Officer
Jill Molloy, ACT NUS State Branch President
Sinead Colee National President | National Union of Students