AREEA has welcomed the Australian Government’s appointment of Stephen McBurney as Commissioner of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC). Mr McBurney commences his five-year term on 6 February 2018.
Minister for Small and Family Business, the Workplace and Deregulation, Craig Laundy, said Mr McBurney had been appointed following a merit-based selection process.
He joins the ABCC from the Victorian Office of Chief Examiner, where he had been responsible for investigating serious organised crime over the past nine years. He also worked as an Assistant Commissioner (Legal) for the ABCC from 2006-2008, where he was also responsible for the implementation of compliance powers.
“In addition to his outstanding legal career, Mr McBurney was one of the AFL’s most experienced and highly regarded umpires, one of four umpires to reach the 400-game milestone,” Minister Laundy noted.
“The building industry is a vital sector of Australia’s economy, employing more than one million Australians. The ABCC plays a critical role in maintaining the rule of law and promoting improved workplace relations to ensure building work is carried out fairly, productively and for the benefit of all.”
AREEA acting chief executive Amanda Mansini said: “Mr McBurney’s legal credentials and experience in investigating serious organised crime will serve the ABCC well as it continues to uphold the rule of law in Australia’s workplaces.”
“This is extremely important to productivity and safety at Australian workplaces, and a job only an agency with the powers and scope of the ABCC can deliver.
“We congratulate Mr McBurney on the appointment and are confident he’ll do an excellent job in a challenging role.”
Read the Australian Financial Review’s coverage of Mr McBurney’s appointment, including AREEA’s comments, here.
Supporting the work of the ABCC and its long-term retention is a key policy priority for AREEA, particularly in light of recent media reports that the Federal Opposition will be under immense pressure from the union movement to abolish the regulator if it wins government. To contribute to future AREEA campaigns supporting the ABCC contact [email protected].
