The ABCC

What about our civil rights?

We fought for 'your rights at work', in Rudd's new Australia that means no civil rights for Construction workers...

Construction workers and their families fought hard to remove the Howard Government and its extreme laws. However more needs to be done for a fair workplace relations system for our own industry.

Right across Australia construction workers are under attack from the legacy of Howard's IR laws, as the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC) continues to use its draconian powers.

How the Rudd Government is wasting your tax dollars on the ABCC...

In the midst of the greatest financial crisis in 70 years, the Australian government has deemed it necessary to spend over 42 billion dollars to stimulate our national economy. We assume that the Government will also have to make some cut-backs and look at ways to ensure tax dollars are being invested with greater efficiency over the next few years.

How would you spend $30 million of your tax dollars in the current economic climate?

Well, this is what the Government’s ABCC spent their budget of $30 million on in the last financial year. Do you think it was worth it?

In the last financial year the ABCC conducted a total of 1714 site visits. They received a total of 1845 enquiries and conducted 29 civil proceedings in court.

Let's see how that stacks up.

On a budget of 30 million dollars each one of the site visits cost $17,502.
The cost per enquiry to the ABCC was $16,260 and each.
The 29 civil proceedings in court cost on average of $1,034,482 each!

Now, far be it from us to play 'Federal Treasurer' but it doesn’t take much to see that in these times of economic hardship, $30,000,000 could be better spent. For example:

It would buy around 30 MRI Scanners for hospitals.
30,000 computers for schools.
Annually fund 19,230 pensioners a pay increase of $35 a week.

But wait there's more...

Without quantifying it, 30 million dollars could subsidise a lot of expensive, life saving medications not currently available on the Governments (PBS) Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. It would subsidise thousands of training places for apprentices. It could be used to help build much needed infrastructure to create more jobs.... the list goes on and on.

The point is: The ABCC is a waste of taxpayer's money. Your money! It is the only 'industry specific' police force in Australia, if not the western world. It is condemned by the I.L.O.-International Labour Organisation.

How can the Rudd, Gillard, Swan and Federal Government continue to justify its existence?

The ABCC and its draconian, unnecessary powers should be abolished and its budget productively allocated elsewhere.

There are 30,000,000 reasons why this leftover from the Howard Government can't be allowed to continue. The time to abolish it and put the money to better use is now not 2010!

If we don't stand up now, who will be next?

The ABCC came first for the CFMEU
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a member of the CFMEU.
Then they came for the AWU
and I didn’t speak up because I was not in the AWU.
Then they came for the ETU
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t in the ETU.
Then they came for the PTEU
And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t in the PTEU
Then they came for the AMWU
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t in the AMWU.
Then they came for the MUA
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't in the MUA
Then they came for me
and by that time no one was left to speak up for me.

Unions combine to campaign against the ABCC download details here.

Is this a fair go? What most Australian don't know?

No-one called for interrogation by the ABCC has the right to silence.
Refusal to attend may result in 6 months jail.
The interrogations are secret.
You can talk to no-one, except a lawyer about what happened to you - you can't even discuss it with your partner, best mate, Brother and Sister, Mum or Dad. No-one!
You may not be able to choose your own Lawyer.

What you can do:

Download this leaflet and pass it on by hand or email.
Talkback - ring your local talk back radio show and raise it as an issue.
Write a letter to the editor of your major city newspapers.
Lobby your local MP - in person, by phone, letter or email: Start and send a petition: Politely tell them of your concerns and ask them to get the Labor government to abolish the ABCC.
Pass resolutions against the ABCC - at your worksite, union or local ALP branch meetings.
Join the CFMEU activities to support workers subpoenaed for questioning, sign petitions etc. Contact your local CFMEU branch for details.
Spread the word - tell your friends and family what's really going on. (They'll be shocked) Don't let the activities of the ABCC remain a secret.
Forget Stephen King! Here's a real HORROR Movie! Watch the movie 'Constructing Fear' by Joe Loh - it's free! Click on this website now www.constructingfear.com.au. Send this link to your friends and family and ask them to watch it too! You'll also find segments to watch on YouTube.

What to do if you are approached by the ABCC

Say nothing
Call your union
Tell your workmates
Tell your boss you don't want the ABCC on site.

Watch these!

ABCC-Charlie from the 107 - his story
www.rightsonsite.org.au/ad_CImovie.html

Anti ABCC TV campaign - nothing has changed since Howard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwaTfwku1oE&feature=related

Rudd's ABCC wants to send this man to jail. Why? - Watch now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofB0TKkNPmM

Go build a future that we would be proud to hand on to the next generation