The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet yesterday released the draft legislation program for the Senate for next week, listing the Registered Organisation Bill and the ABCC Bill for debate on Monday and Tuesday. The ABCC Bill remains of critical importance for industry as it would re-establish the ABCC and give effect to the proposed Building Code 2014.

Members will recall from our last update that the Prime Minister had previously indicated the two bills would be presented to the Senate when the Government believed there was a majority of support for their passage. The decision to list the bills for debate early next week is therefore an encouraging development.

With certainty on the proposed Building Code 2014 likely to occur in the near term, Master Builders continues to advise members of the attendant risk of signing onto enterprise agreements such as the new CFMEU Pattern EBA, which are not compliant with Building Code 2014.

Master Builders also reminds members holding the extant Industry EBA 2011-2015 (and who entered into it prior to 24 April 2014) that they remain compliant with both the current Building Code 2013 and the proposed Building Code 2014.

Members seeking further information are encouraged to contact the IR Department on (03) 9411 4560.