Victorian Trades Hall Council. The voice of Victorian workers since 1856.Victorian Trades Hall Council. The voice of Victorian workers since 1856.

Bracks decision on road funding regrettable

The Victorian Trades Hall Council Secretary Leigh Hubbard today expressed disappointment at the Victorian Government's decision to sign the Federal Government's National Building Code.

'It is regrettable that the State Government has been pushed into a corner by the Commonwealth's blackmailing and bully-boy tactics.'

'This code is completely unnecessary. Victorian employers and workers have a sophisticated understanding and several major projects, such as the Docklands and Tullamarine have been code compliant, carried out in a spirit of co-operation and delivered on time and on budget.'

The Victorian government has held out signing the code, but has finally succumbed to pressure after all other states signed up to it , with $1.8 billion dollars in road funding alone under threat.'

'At the end of the day we don't think this decision will make much difference on the ground. It won't make any difference to productivity like the Feds claim. It is simply a provocation to Victorian workers that could disrupt what already is an efficient system,' Mr Hubbard added.

'The Federal Government says it believes in enterprise bargaining but will not allow employers and workers to come to agreement. It is sticking its nose in where neither party wants them to. In fact it is using coercive tactics, which its own Workplace Relations Act prohibits. It seems reasonable to ask is the Government's conduct breaking its own laws?,' he said.

'Nobody should labour under the impression that this code has anything to do with productivity or fairness. It has everything to do with a government heady with power attempting to have its way with the hard working men and women of Victoria,' Mr Hubbard concluded.


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