Written by Jacob Vadakkedathu, Canberra Liberals Senate candidate.
In a striking twist, Senator David Pocock, who played a key role in abolishing the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) last year, now calls for stronger oversight of the construction industry. This follows a scandal involving the CFMEU, which faces allegations of organised crime and bikie gang affiliations, exposing significant regulatory gaps.
Pocock’s recent statements reveal a glaring contradiction. His vote, alongside the Greens, was crucial in dismantling the ABCC—a watchdog established to enforce law and order in the construction industry. Now, faced with clear evidence of criminal activity within the CFMEU, Pocock is advocating for more stringent oversight. This about-face raises questions about his initial decision to support the ABCC’s dissolution, especially as he now admits that current regulators are ill-equipped to handle these allegations.
Pocock defends his decision by claiming he was “effectively forced” to vote for the ABCC’s demise as part of a broader industrial relations reform package. He argues that he urged then-Industrial Relations Minister Tony Burke to split the bill, foreseeing the need for new oversight mechanisms. However, his eventual support for the omnibus bill, despite these concerns, suggests a willingness to compromise on regulatory integrity for the sake of legislative expediency.
Teal Independent Zoe Daniel, who echoes Pocock’s call for robust oversight, also voted to abolish the ABCC. Their current stance appears more reactionary to political fallout than a principled stand for accountability. Their protests that the government refused to split the bill reveal a concerning readiness to overlook potential regulatory failures for short-term political gains.
The ABCC has been a political football, established by the Howard government in 2005 following a royal commission into industry lawlessness, and facing abolition and revival under successive governments. The ABCC’s final abolition in early 2023, largely driven by Pocock’s decisive vote, makes his current calls for stronger oversight particularly ironic.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s firm stance against reinstating the ABCC, citing its ineffectiveness, further complicates the issue. Albanese argues that the ABCC failed to expose the CFMEU’s criminal activities during its tenure, suggesting that a new approach is necessary. However, this perspective overlooks the broader issue of maintaining a consistent and effective regulatory framework.
The CFMEU scandal has broader implications, particularly regarding union influence on major construction projects. Allegations of intimidation tactics and criminal links within the CFMEU have contributed to rising construction costs, exacerbating the cost of living and inflation.
The hypocrisy in Pocock’s stance is evident. His vote to abolish the ABCC, combined with his current calls for stronger oversight, reveals a troubling inconsistency that undermines his credibility on the issue. The construction industry, plagued by allegations of criminal conduct and regulatory failures, deserves a more coherent and principled approach to oversight and regulation.
While calls for increased scrutiny and regulation from Pocock and Daniel are warranted, they are tainted by their earlier support for dismantling the very watchdog designed to prevent such issues. Their demands underscore the hypocrisy and political manoeuvring that have left the construction industry vulnerable to criminal exploitation. The need for robust and effective regulation in the construction sector is undeniable, but it requires a more consistent and principled approach than what Pocock and Daniel have demonstrated.
