16 February 2012
Legislation to dismantle the Australian Building and Construction Commission has passed the House of Representatives.
The Government plans to replace the Commission with a new agency to oversee the building industry.
Unions are concerned that the new watchdog will still have coercive powers to compel workers to answer questions.
The legislation will now go to the Senate.
The Greens want the building industry watchdog scrapped altogether, but Greens MP Adam Bandt says he still voted for the bill.
"We were able to get some amendments which we think on balance are better than the status quo," he said.
"But we just need to be clear that we wanted to get rid of the coercive powers.
"The numbers were there in Parliament, and the only reason they've stayed is because Labor wants them."
Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says the coalition will fight to save the ABCC "with every breath in our political bodies".
He regards the establishment of the ABCC as one of the great achievements of the Howard era.
"If we lose this fight in the parliament we will restore the ABCC at the first available opportunity."
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