Subbies call for end to contracts which ‘mean nothing’

VETERAN tradies say construction contracts must be made fairer as the Jewel saga shows a contract no longer means job security.

President of Subbies United and tradesman of 30 years John Goddard said construction contracts were designed to be confusing so developers and builders could opt out legally at any time.

“You’ve got these contracts that are 130 pages. Which of your average subbies is going to sit down and read 130 pages?” Mr Goddard said.

“I’ve got 30 years’ experience but even I need a lawyer.

“A contract used to be six pages but now they’ve got lawyers tying it together like a jigsaw so they can cancel the contract at any time.”

CFMEU assistant state secretary Jade Ingham said unrealistic contracts were making it even harder for workers.

“You don’t even know once you start a job that you’ll be allowed to finish it, and your employer that won the project on a competitive tender, they don’t even know if they’re going to finish the job because the contracts mean nothing.”

Business owners working on the Jewel site are not only facing a lack of work, they are also stuck with materials specially ordered for the job, with no assurance they will be paid.

Housing Minister Mick de Brenni promised new regulations to help subbies would come into force on January 1.

In September his department released a discussion paper titled “The proposed improvements to the Minimum Financial Requirements for licensing in the building and construction industry”.

Mr de Brenni said the proposed changes would help identify contractors who may not be operating in a financially sustainable way, and thus prevent subcontractors from getting left in the lurch.

“Our nation-leading Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act is a once in a generation package of reforms that provides Queensland with Australia’s strongest security of payment regimen,” he said.

Anyone seeking to provide feedback on the paper can find it on the Housing and Public Works website. Submissions close at 5pm on October 9.