July 17, 2014
Master Builders Australia has called for character tests to be introduced for union leaders and managers of employer associations.
In a submission in response to a Royal Commission Issues Paper “Duties of Union Officials”, the industry association said the character test should be a precondition for assuming management or control of an employee or employer association.
“People with management and control of registered organisations would need to prove before being appointed that they have not been convicted of certain criminal and civil offences. This test would be the first hurdle that would need to be passed,” MBA CEO Wilhelm Harnisch said.
“The new test would strengthen the existing fit and proper person test for purposes such as right of entry and help eliminate the practice of union officials gaining entry to construction sites on spurious safety grounds.
“The test would provide members of registered organisations and the community with more confidence in the suitability of officials of industrial organisations and the responsible discharge of their duties.” Wilhelm Harnisch said.
