Construction & Infrastructure - What's News - 3 February 2015

In the media

National

Australian Government delivers first stage of $1 billion Mr Fluffy loan The first installment of the Australian Government's $1 billion concessional loan to help remediate ACT homes affected by "Mr Fluffy" loose-fill asbestos will be paid following the signing of the loan agreement between the Australian and ACT governments (28 January 2015). More...

Foreign workers dismissed from Narrabri construction project The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union says at least eight 457 visa holders working on a construction project for the Chia Tung Development Corporation in Narrabri have been dismissed (28 January 2015). More...

Union Thuggery Must Be Stopped: Construction Groups Building industry lobby groups have stepped up their attack on what they say is an increasing level of unlawful activity by union officials on construction sites, and have renewed calls for the reinstatement of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) (27 January 2015). More...

Growing stronger regions across the nation Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development said the three-year appointments will provide leadership to RDA committees to drive economic growth and make the most of the potential capability of their region (27 January 2015). More...

CFMEU official allegedly directed work to stop on $163m Barangaroo site CFMEU official Luke Collier is facing court after he allegedly directed work to stop at a $163 million Barangaroo project. FWBC also claims Mr Collier refused to obey occupational health and safety laws on site while conducting a right of entry visit (21 January 2015). More...

Master Builders' insurer ordered to pay for house problems in tribunal ruling The insurer run by the Masters Builders Association has been ordered to fix a number of problems in a newly built Canberra home, after a long running legal dispute (21 January 2015). More...

Victoria

Abolition of Vic Construction Code Creates Urgency for IR Reform The recent announcement by the Victorian Government, to abolish the Victorian Building Code has prompted the Australian Constructors Association (ACA) to again call on the Australian Senate to pass the Federal Industrial relations legislation currently before it (24 January 2015). More...

Spike in dodgy tradesmen targeting elderly, disabled, Victorian Government warns Victorians are being urged to report unsolicited approaches from trade workers, after a spike in the...