Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

One of the most important sectors, one of the biggest drivers of economic growth and jobs, is the construction industry. It directly employs more than a million Australians. The construction industry, the construction sector, does not need intimidation, thuggery or job-destroying industrial conflict. In recent years, we have seen the number of days lost to industrial disputes come down in most industries. That is good. Construction is the exception.

Today, the government has reintroduced the Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Bill 2013 [No. 2], which will re-establish the Australian Building and Construction Commission. A well-regulated construction industry will attract more investment. It will generate more jobs. It is good for the economy. It is good for workers. It is good for the members of the unions. This is a critical test of the leadership of the Leader of the Opposition. All of the evidence that came out in the Heydon royal commission demonstrated—incontrovertibly—that there is a massive cultural endemic problem.

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