Construction unions have again called on the Federal Government to abolish the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) after its head John Lloyd announced that he would not reapply for the position when his term expires in September.

CFMEU C&G Divsion National Secretary Dave Noonan said, “Mr Lloyd has been a vocal supporter of the Howard government’s policies and has even participated in meetings of the extremist HR Nicholls Society. Under his leadership the ABCC has failed to prosecute even one employer for ripping off construction workers wages and entitlements, despite having the responsibility to do so.

“But the real issue here is not who heads up the ABCC - it is that the law which underpins the institution is discriminatory and unfair. Justice will only be served when Australian workers are all subject to the same industrial laws. That means one law for all.

“Condemned no less than seven times by the International Labour Organisation, the ABCC is an ideological relic of the Howard era,” he said.

The Commission is currently pursuing the prosecution of South Australian construction worker Ark Tribe. He faces the prospect of imprisonment for allegedly failing to attend a compulsory interrogation by the ABCC.

Tribe’s trial will begin on June 15. Construction workers from around Australia will travel to Adelaide to stand side by side with him, opposing the ABCC and these draconian laws.

“With its coercive powers and ideological targeting of construction workers, the ABCC plays a political game rather than a useful or meaningful role in the industry,” said Mr Noonan.

“The fact that an ordinary building worker is currently being dragged through the courts like a common criminal shows clearly why the ABCC must go. Ark Tribe is accused of nothing more than attending a meeting about safety issues on site. By standing tall and not dobbing on his mates, he now faces the real prospect of imprisonment”.