Skip to content
Building Construction, Industrial Relations

IR Bill amendments band-aid on a burst pipe

Master Builders Australia < 1 mins read

The building and construction industry continues to hold grave concerns around the compounding impact of the Albanese Government’s Closing Loopholes IR Bill on business and tradies right across the economy.

 

Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn says moves by Minister Burke to tinker at the edges of the Bill does not in any way change the fundamental structural problems of this Bill - it is complex, costly and unnecessary. 

 

“You can’t amend a few clauses and say concerns with the Bill are fixed when there are 300 odd pages of damaging changes that fundamentally upend how business operates.

 

“Minister Burke is attempting to create his own minor loopholes for a couple of specific industries while still leaving the economy high and dry.  

 

"The cumulative impact of this Bill on the economy will be devastating and will leave the building and construction industry hamstrung in its ability to meet the housing targets set by the Federal Government.

 

“The economy does not operate in silos, and failing to understand how supply chains work is why peak business groups remain committed to opposing this Bill.

 

“Independent contractors, self-employed Australians, subcontractors, and small business are still in the firing line and their rights to be their own boss are at risk.

 

“This Bill ultimately drives down productivity and drives up the cost of goods and services.

 

“When you have the RBA and businesses calling for a boost in productivity and communities crying out for cost of living relief, why is Labor hell-bent on ignoring these pleas? Ms Wawn said.

 

Media contact: Dee Zegarac, National Director, Media & Public Affairs

0400 493 071 | [email protected]

Media

More from this category

  • Industrial Relations, Travel Tourism
  • 14/02/2026
  • 07:24
AWU

Lovers’ tiff ruins Valentine’s Day as Australian skydiving instructors strike

Many might think jumping out of a plane with your sweetheart is the last thing you would do to show your love but for Skydive Australia it’s aselling point. And many Australian couples have signed up to fall head over heels this Valentine’s Day. But a lovers’ tiff threatens to ruin their special day. Experience Co, which operates as Skydive Australia at jump sites up and down the east coast, from Cairns to St Kilda, has walked away from pay negotiations with their instructors. On Valentine's Day no less! As a consequence of the lovers' quarrel Skydive Australia instructors will…

  • Industrial Relations, Travel Tourism
  • 14/02/2026
  • 05:35
AWU

Lovers’ tiff ruins Valentine’s Day as Australian skydiving instructors strike

Many might think jumping out of a plane with your sweetheart is the last thing you would do to show your love but for Skydive Australia it’s aselling point. And many Australian couples have signed up to fall head over heels this Valentine’s Day. But a lovers’ tiff threatens to ruin their special day. Experience Co, which operates as Skydive Australia at jump sites up and down the east coast, from Cairns to St Kilda, has walked away from pay negotiations with their instructors. On Valentine's Day no less! As a consequence of the lovers' quarrel Skydive Australia instructors will…

  • Building Construction, Engineering
  • 12/02/2026
  • 16:20
HydroChem

HYDROCHEM AND ENVIRONEX JOIN FORCES

Key Facts: HydroChem has acquired Western Australian chemical manufacturer Environex, a family-owned business with over 50 years of trading history Environex will continue to…

  • Contains:

Media Outreach made fast, easy, simple.

Feature your press release on Medianet's News Hub every time you distribute with Medianet. Pay per release or save with a subscription.