Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2020

Did not oppose the bill but criticised the government for taking eight years from its 2015 election promise to fully implement subcontractor payment protections, arguing the reforms are too slow and calling for a royal commission type investigation into the building industry.

“The LNP stands behind a royal commission type investigation into the building industry. That is what we really need to see here because at the end of the day there are issues even on a federal level that need to be dealt with.”— 2020-07-15View Hansard

As the responsible minister, moved the second reading and strongly advocated for the bill's trust account reforms to ensure subcontractors are paid on time, highlighting personal stories of tradies affected by non-payment.

“For too long the issue of security of payment has been in the too-hard basket, and I think that is beneath us as a state.”— 2020-07-14View Hansard

Spoke as committee chair, noting the committee recommended the bill be passed with 12 recommendations, and emphasised the reforms will ensure workers and subcontractors get paid.

“This bill builds on our security of payment laws and will further ensure that workers, including subcontractors, will get paid.”— 2020-07-15View Hansard

Stated the LNP will not oppose the bill, supporting the principle that tradies deserve to be paid, but heavily criticised the government's slow implementation, repeated delays since the 2015 election promise, and last-minute amendments not provided to the opposition.

“The LNP's position is firm on the principle that everybody deserves to be paid for the work they do. Unfortunately, late payments and non-payment of Queensland tradies remains an ongoing concern in the building and construction industry.”— 2020-07-14View Hansard

Supported the principle of ensuring subcontractors are paid but criticised the government's previous legislation as weak and insufficient, sharing personal examples of tradies left unpaid in his electorate.

“Security of payment reform has been talked about forever and the government must get it right. The government has failed previously with poor legislation that does not protect subbies.”— 2020-07-15View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill, arguing trust in the payment system equals confidence in the economy and citing Deloitte research projecting the reforms would create 2,373 jobs over 20 years.

“I support this bill because trust equals confidence, and confidence equals certainty in the economy—certainty for tradies and employers to put on that apprentice and create more jobs.”— 2020-07-15View Hansard

Supported the principle of fair payment but argued the reforms need to balance protection with reducing red tape and administrative burden on smaller builders and developers, calling for a commission of inquiry.

“The greatest gift we can give anyone in any sector but particularly building and construction is certainty—certainty that when they are quoting on a job they are not going to be stomped on by the unions, certainty that when they are quoting on a job they will be paid.”— 2020-07-15View Hansard

Supported the bill as part of ongoing reform to ensure subcontractors are paid on time and in full, also welcoming retirement village protection amendments.

“What we need to see in Queensland is that subbies, contractors, builders and tradies being paid on time, every time and in full.”— 2020-07-15View Hansard

Supported the bill but argued the government's earlier legislation was weak and called for a commission of inquiry, highlighting the collapse of Ri-Con Contractors which left hundreds of thousands owed to Gympie businesses.

“These businesses are among more than 300 unsecured creditors, including subcontractors, across Gympie and the Sunshine Coast who are owed millions.”— 2020-07-15View Hansard

Supported the bill, focusing on the amendments to the Retirement Villages Act that preserve QCAT review rights for transition plans.

“The amendments ensured that significant changes in the operations of retirement villages occur in a manner that is clear, orderly and fair to the residents.”— 2020-07-15View Hansard

Did not oppose the bill but expressed considerable concerns, citing constituents owed over $120,000 by a collapsed builder and criticising the minister for not responding to their correspondence.

“Actions speak louder than words, so it is easy to understand why many Queenslanders have no confidence in the Palaszczuk Labor government to look out for the interests of tradies and other subcontractors.”— 2020-07-15View Hansard

Supported the bill as delivering fairness for subcontractors and small businesses, praising the government for listening to industry and taking time to get the reforms right.

“At the core of this bill is the matter of fairness—fairness for subcontractors, fairness for small business—and only Labor is delivering that.”— 2020-07-15View Hansard

Agreed subcontractors deserve to be paid but raised concerns about red tape burden on small family-owned construction businesses in regional Queensland, calling on the minister to review the impact on small contractors.

“We also believe that a fair day's work deserves a fair day's pay. I think everybody in this House is in agreement with that.”— 2020-07-15View Hansard

Criticised the bill as providing false hope, arguing project bank accounts only cover large projects and at least 50-70 per cent of tradies are not covered, suggesting insurance-based protections would be more effective.

“I feel that there are aspects of this legislation that are quite disingenuous. In a sense, it provides false hope.”— 2020-07-15View Hansard

Supported the bill but raised concerns about the adverse impacts of mandated project bank accounts on small to medium builders, relaying feedback from local builders concerned the model could shut down their businesses.

“Local builders in my electorate of Moggill and across the western suburbs have contacted me and shared their very real concerns that such a model will have not only on their industry but also on their small business viability.”— 2020-07-15View Hansard

Supported the bill, highlighting that dodgy operators withholding payment causes serious consequences for tradies in her Gold Coast community, including mental health impacts.

“We on this side of the House believe that if you do the work you should get paid on time, in full, every time.”— 2020-07-15View Hansard

As a registered builder, acknowledged the need for reform but criticised the government's approach as increasing red tape and costs without proven effectiveness, citing a damning Queensland Audit Office report on the QBCC.

“It is hard to forget that the minister cherrypicked items out of reports and commissioned analyses bragging about cost benefits, because that clearly is not reflected by what stakeholders are telling us now.”— 2020-07-15View Hansard

Agreed everyone deserves to be paid for a fair day's work but raised concerns about extra red tape and paperwork burdening mum-and-dad builders, and criticised the QBCC as a toothless tiger.

“Everybody deserves to get paid for a fair day's work. LNP members and I am sure government members all agree with this.”— 2020-07-15View Hansard

Replied as minister, defending the phased approach to reform and citing support from trade subcontractor associations who called the reforms 'the biggest step forward on subbie payments in our nation's history'.

“We are saying this to tradies across Queensland: you deserve to get paid in full, on time every time; you deserve the certainty of getting paid for the work that you do and you deserve a system that will not let you down.”— 2020-07-15View Hansard