It seems so.
From: Les Williams, The Subcontractors Alliance 04-04-2022 7am
The MBA met with Housing Minister Mick deBrenni in November last year seeking to delay the roll-out of project trust accounts.
Three months later the most important phases of the trust roll-out have been delayed by 9 months, disadvantaging the 60,000 strong sector that need trusts the most.
The very reason for legislating project trust accounts (2018) was brushed aside to allow builders to continue to use and abuse subcontractor’s money. No worries, anything for builders.
Builders have been given license and preference | subcontractors have been disregarded and disadvantaged | the reasons given by Mick deBrenni are unadulterated bullshit and are simply parroting the MBA.
There were 40 consultations according to the minister’s press release.
It appears that none of the 40 consultants considered that subcontractors have also been victims of Covid, material price hikes, and floods: nor that around 1500 subcontractors were ‘burnt’ by builders while they were ‘consulting’.
Until this mob (MBA) are put back in their box subcontractors (small businesses) are going to continue to be in harm’s way.
WHERE WERE THE TRADE ASSOCIATIONS ON THIS DELAY?
You know - the associations that are supposed to represent the interests of electricians, plumbers, painters, plasterers, renderers, bricklayers, tilers, concreters, civil contractors, etc. The small businesses that do all the work, supply most of the materials and most of the workers.
How is it in their members best interests if they agreed to this delay? Did your association vote against this proposed delay?
Maybe you should ask them the question if you are a member of one.
HOW MANY BUILDERS VOTED FOR YOU MICK?
The MBA have totally opposed the use of project trust accounts from as far back as 1996. They don’t want to just delay the roll-out, their plan is to have trusts abolished entirely and this delay is part of that plan.
The problem is that builders (MBA) have somehow managed to grab the ear of Mick deBrenni.
The MBA unmercifully attacked Mick deBrenni all over Qld in several election campaigns while campaigning for the opposition. It was subcontractors that stuck solid and helped Mick deBrenni and his government get elected. That trust and support is gone.
Project trust accounts have been in the pipeline now for 7 years.
MEDIA RELEASE
In his media release Mick deBrenni says:
“It’s well worth protecting the livelihoods of these workers.” --- “Already the industry is a better place to work because of the framework that is in place.”
What disingenuous bullshit.
Its only early April and already around 1500 subcontractors have been ‘burnt’ by builder collapses and it’s predicted to get worse.
Other security of payment measures you mention that could be used by subcontractors in the interim are totally useless when a builder ‘crashes.’
SubbiesUnited: Retentions are subbies money, it's part of their contract. They should be abolished but if Mick is too lazy to do that, then protect them with trust accounts.
We have subbies discussing how hard it is to get retentions out of builders, they rarely pay on time if at all. It's always a battle that can go on for months, even years.
Labor Governments are meant to represent blue collar workers like subbies and their employees but here they are, pandering to the wishes of the Construction Industries Silver-tails, the MBA and builders. These bastards don't deserve your support at the next election so make sure you desert them like they have deserted you.
Subbies add a level of protection to your business and join SubbiesUnited and make use of our private members forum for up to date information but a warning, do not join if you are NOT a subcontractor, we will weed you out before you get a foot in the door. If you're not a subbie or a trusted supplier, you are not welcome.
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