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

Building Industry Rights Campaign Steps Up

What laws mean for building industry workers

The Australian Building and Construction Commissioner has extraordinary powers to compel workers to testify against their union colleagues. These powers rank amongst the worlds most repressive against working people.

The powers include:

  • Power to demand that documents are handed over;
  • Power to compel information be given or questons be answered (under oath).

This means that ordinary workers can be served with a notice which forces them to appear before the ABCC and be questioned about a workplace issue.

No Right to Silence

These interrogation sessions are held in private and you may be told that you have to answer questions under oath. You have no 'right to be silent'.
You can be directed not to disclose to anyone (other than your lawyer) what was discussed during your interrogation.
There is no protection from self-incrimination; you must answer questions even if the answers might tend to incriminate you.
Failure to comply is a criminal offence and penalties from a  $3,300 fine to 6 months imprisonment.

Talk To Your Union First

If you are served with a notice from the Taskforce demanding information or documents, talk to your Union first.
Before you give any documents to the Taskforce seek legal advice about whether you are obliged to hand over any particular documents that you may have.
Remember your Union's advice: Talk to us before you talk to them.

Construction workers campaign for equal rights
Construction workers in Australia have a different set of laws and rights than other Australians. They can be called before secret hearings of the government's enforcement agency the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (the ABCC) and questioned about union meetings. They must answer all questions. If they do not attend or answer all questions they face harsh penalties, including six months imprisonment. They can be denied representation by the lawyer of their choice. Virtually all industrial action is illegal and can be punished by fines against individual workers and their union representatives.
For more information:


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