Preventing unions from demanding higher pay on large construction projects when they near completion is likely to be part of the Turnbull Government’s workplace policy at the federal election.

Federal Resources Minister Josh Frydenberg has talked to Employment Minister Michaelia Cash about the Coalition supporting a Productivity Commission proposal to allow workplace agreements to be extended by years, if necessary, to cover the life of a new project.

…The Australian Mines and Metals Association said it supported the change because investors needed certainty about project costs and continuity throughout the construction period.

The association’s executive director, Scott Barklamb, said the “current system allows unions to strategically target agreement renewals when major projects are most vulnerable”.

Click here to read the full article published in the Australian Financial Review on 17 February 2016.