Master Builders has written to all key cross-bench Senators to seek their support for the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Ensuring Integrity) Bill 2017 ('EI Bill') following a request to new IR Minister The Hon Kelly O'Dwyer MP, that the federal Government bring on debate as a matter of urgency.

The EI Bill, supported by Master Builders since it was first introduced into the House of Representatives on 16 August 2017, will make a series of changes to registered organisations laws to combat those within the union movement that hold themselves above the rule of law.

The key elements of the EI Bill include:

• New provisions to disqualify officials of Registered Organisations from holding office, or standing for office, should they be found to have deliberately broken workplace laws, not acted in members’ interests, or not be fit and proper people (for example, having broken a criminal law);
• New provisions to seek deregistration of Registered Organisations, or a part thereof, should it (or officers or members) be found to have deliberately broken workplace laws, or not acted in their members’ interest. There are also new provisions regarding the placing of an Registered Organisation into administration; and
• A public interest test for Registered Organisation (e.g. union) amalgamations, which is expressed in the positive – i.e. that it is ‘in the public interest’, rather ‘not contrary to the public interest’.

Master Builders has also engaged with key members of the Senate cross-bench seeking their support for its successful passage when the Government moves to debate stage.

Members seeking further information should contact the IR Department on (03) 9411 4560.