The Queensland Major Contractors Association (QMCA) welcomes reports of a proposed approach to industrial arrangements that rely on project agreements for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games infrastructure and the introduction of a new Queensland Construction Code as proposed by the Commission of Inquiry. The QMCA has advocated for a construction code in Queensland that allows industry and stakeholders to establish balanced and reasonable conditions that are fair, competitive and productive.
QMCA Chief Executive Officer Andrew Chapman said Queensland’s construction industry needs a framework that prioritises productivity, value for taxpayers and the timely delivery of major infrastructure.
The proposed Queensland Construction Code represents a balanced and practical framework that recognises the importance of safe workplaces, while enabling more productive project delivery. As Queensland prepares to deliver the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, there is a unique opportunity to establish project settings that prioritise productivity, collaboration and value for taxpayers.
The restrictive provisions contained within existing CFMEU enterprise agreements and subsequently reflected in the Best Practice Industry Conditions (BPIC) policy have not supported efficient delivery of major infrastructure projects. Their prescriptive nature has reduced workplace flexibility and contributed to significant declines in productivity without demonstrating corresponding improvements in safety outcomes.
Industry analysis indicates that these provisions reduced effective working time on site by 17-28 per cent each week, equating to a loss of up to 1.4 productive days per week. Addressing these inefficiencies will be critical if Queensland is to successfully deliver the unprecedented pipeline of infrastructure required over the coming decade while making the best use of public investment.
“The Brisbane 2032 Games represent one of the largest and most important infrastructure programs Queensland has ever delivered. Success will depend on attracting the broadest possible field of capable contractors and creating an environment where projects can be delivered safely, efficiently and without unnecessary industrial disruption,” said Mr Chapman.
Mr Chapman said the Association had consistently advocated for reforms that improve productivity, strengthen competition and remove procurement settings that create unnecessary complexity or barriers to participation. “QMCA has long supported industry reform that promotes fair competition, clear procurement rules and consistent expectations across publicly funded projects.”
The Association said certainty would be critical as the industry prepared for an unprecedented pipeline of Games infrastructure alongside housing, transport, health and energy projects.
“Queensland is entering a period where the challenge is not simply funding projects, but having the capacity to deliver them. Productivity has become one of the defining issues facing our industry. Every unnecessary constraint on project delivery ultimately increases costs and places further pressure on an already stretched construction workforce and we need to ensure that so called conditions that arbitrarily restrict productivity are removed.”
Mr Chapman said any new construction code and procurement framework should provide clarity for contractors while remaining practical to implement across the industry’s diverse range of projects.
“Industry needs certainty as early as possible. Contractors making long-term investment decisions around people, equipment and capability need confidence that procurement settings will remain clear, consistent and workable throughout the life of the Games Delivery program.”
He said Queensland’s construction sector had repeatedly demonstrated its ability to deliver nationally significant infrastructure when governments established stable and transparent procurement frameworks.
“Our members want to focus on what they do best: delivering the roads, rail, venues, hospitals and community infrastructure Queensland needs. A procurement and industrial relations framework that supports productivity, encourages competition and provides certainty will ultimately deliver better value for taxpayers and better outcomes for the state.”
Mr Chapman said QMCA looked forward to working constructively with the Queensland Government as details of the proposed Queensland Construction Code and Games-specific procurement arrangements were finalised.
“This is an opportunity to establish procurement settings that not only support the successful delivery of Brisbane 2032 but also leave a lasting legacy of improved productivity, safer worksites and stronger project delivery across Queensland’s construction industry.”
