Beyond Cole - The future of the construction industry: confrontation or co-operation?

21 June 2004

© Commonwealth of Australia 2004

ISBN 0 642 71415 0

View the report as a single document - (PDF format - 1340 Kb)

View the report as separate downloadable parts:

Cover with membership details; terms of reference and table of contents	(PDF format - 150 Kb)	(HTML format)
Recommendations	(PDF format - 74 Kb)	(HTML format)
Preface	(PDF format - 91 Kb)	(HTML format)
Chapter One  - Introduction and overview	(PDF format - 390 Kb)	(HTML format)
Characteristics of the building industry Attempts at industry reform The BCII Bill in the context of the Government's WR reform agenda Industry productivity The justification for industry-specific legislation Likely consequences of enactment
Chapter Two - The Cole Royal Commission	(PDF format - 242 Kb)	(HTML format)
Why royal commissions are useful to governments Outsourcing the parliament Appointment of the Cole royal commission Conduct of the royal commission Untested allegations allowed to stand Royal commission conclusions and recommendations Allegations of a 'biased' royal commission Conclusion
Chapter Three - The plan to quarantine a workforce	(PDF format - 301 Kb)	(HTML format)
Issues of principle and practice A matter of definition The Australian Building and Construction Commission The Building Code of Practice Protected action Union right of entry Commonwealth-state issues Lost faith in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) Concluding comments on 'reform'
Chapter Four - Lawlessness	(PDF format - 323 Kb)	(HTML format)
Relevant characteristics of the industry The nature of lawlessness in the industry The findings of the Cole royal commission Cole allegations: the prosecution record The evidence to the committee Lawless employers Tax evasion Phoenix companies Effects of underpaying workers compensation Conclusion
Chapter Five - Pattern bargaining and enterprise agreements	(PDF format - 308 Kb)	(HTML format)
What is at stake? The Government's case The pattern bargaining debate Who controls this industry? The right to negotiate Negotiating on a level playing field Moving between sectors Genuine bargaining Flexibility Project agreements
Chapter Six - Occupational Health and Safety	(PDF format - 327 Kb)	(HTML format)
Occupational health and safety: the scale of the problem State initiatives and successes The Federal Safety Commissioner The demise of NOHSC Allegations of misuse of occupational safety issues for industrial purposes Conclusion
Chapter Seven -Maintaining industry skills	(PDF format - 266 Kb)	(HTML format)
The declining skills base Types of training Apprenticeships Group training Employer attitudes to skills shortages and training The award system Paying the cost of training Union initiated training Future directions
Chapter Eight - ILO Conventions and the BCII Bill	(PDF format - 257 Kb)	(HTML format)
Background to the ILO Tripartite participation Enforcing the conventions ILO views on pattern bargaining Freedom of Association Right of Entry The right to strike Rights against self incrimination
Government Senators' Report	(PDF format - 207 Kb)	(HTML format)
Australian Democrats' Report	(PDF format - 743 Kb)	(HTML format)
Appendix 1:  List of submissions	(PDF format - 237 Kb)	(HTML format)
Appendix 2: Hearings and witnesses	(PDF format - 143 Kb)	(HTML format)
Appendix 3: Tabled documents and Answers to questions on notice	(PDF format - 128 Kb)	(HTML format)
Appendix 4: Additional information	(PDF format - 85 Kb)	(HTML format)