26 May 2020 / COVID-19

National Press Club Address

Scott Morrison has just spoken at National Press Club and announced the following (in particular around skills / training and industrial relations):

  • Treasury forecasting 850,000 jobs restored once 3 step plan completed by states / territories
  • Budget later this year is part of the “reset” for the economy and it will be one of the most challenging ones seen
  • Consumer confidence climbed back to 80% in past 8 weeks since the dramatic fall
  • Introducing ‘JobMaker’ plan to restore jobs – based on liberal principles
  • Guided by principles to secure Australia’s future and put people first in our economy

Main areas of ‘JobMaker’:

  • We will remain an outward looking, open and sovereign trading economy
    • We will be part of global supply chains that deliver prosperity for jobs, income and business building
    • We will ensure out industries are highly competitive, resilient and able to succeed in a global market
    • Caring for country
  • Responsible management and stewardship to sustainably manage inheritance for future generations (not borrow from the future)
  • Governments must live within their means so debt isn’t piled on future generations
  • Must leverage and build on our skills – modern competitive advanced manufacturing / agriculture / financial / research / technology sectors
  • Opportunity in Australia for those who have a go to get a go
  • Doing “what makes the boat go faster” – skilled labour

PM’s focus today on skills and industrial relations:

  • Complexity of a vocational training system that is clunky and unresponsive to skills demand
    • Lack of clear information on what the skills needs are now and into the future
    • Funding system with inconsistencies and little accountability on results
    • 1400 qualifications / 17,000 units of competencies and wide range of student fees / subsidies across the country
    • The Gov’t has embarked on a range of skills organisation pilots designed for industry to take responsibility for (3 trials so far for human services, digital technology and mining)
    • National Skills Commission has been established – will provide real time data, trends, reporting, analysis and helping students with their career and training via National Careers Institute (based on skills gaps in industries etc)
    • Current funding from the Commonwealth flawed ($1.5 billion untied) on existing programs with no end date, no requirements etc
    • Simplifying system, achieving greater consistency, increasing funding and transparency and performance monitoring, better coordination of loans, subsidies and funding – must go where it needs to go – national pricing and activity based funding models (as used by the National Hospitals System)
  • Genuinely heartened of constructive approach from employers, employees, unions and ACTU to find practical solutions to keep Australians in jobs
    • Current system is not fit for purpose – scale of jobs challenge we face
    • IR system settled in to complacency – unions seeking …
    • System lost sight of its purpose – need to get it right so businesses can succeed
    • System retreated to tribalism, conflict and ideology posturing
    • Must change or more Australians will lose their jobs – or kept out of jobs
  • This process is expected to run through to September – make use of time we have and get through it quickly
  • Participation of the groups is being invited without prejudice for good honest cooperation
  • Explore and hopefully find a pathway to sensible reform – one goal – make jobs and maximise genuine opportunity and cooperation that is vital to create jobs and return to economic prosperity

Other Recent Activities

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30 October / Quality Alert
Prohibition on the Use of Engineered Stone

Engineered stone ban effective 1 July 2024

ALL engineered stone regardless of the silica content percentage will be banned

Alternative products must be considered and implemented on all projects.

The industry is shifting away from engineered stone due to the risks of respirable crystalline silica, which can cause silicosis and other silica-related diseases. Although the consultations are under way and there has been no official announcement by Federal or State Governments on the issue, the health and safety risks along with the uncertainty around this issue warrants a decision to ban all engineered products entering job sites nationally. The ban will take effect on 1 July 2024 and will extend to ALL engineered stone regardless of the silica content percentage. 

An update to this alert will be provided before the end of the year when the Federal and State Governments are expected to issue a formal decision on the ban. In the meantime, to mitigate the impact of potential delays and variations, the best approach is to inform the clients of the pending ban and to propose and seek approval for an alternative product. Similarly, ensure all future estimates have the stone specification qualified and priced accordingly.

Product alternatives going forward include:

Compact Laminates

  • Under 1% silica content
  • Extremely competitive pricing
  • Only comes in 12mm thickness
  • Heat resistance is an issue
  • Product not suitable for high end applications

Porcelain Surfaces

  • Under 10% silica content
  • Price dependant of product and supplier
  • Large variety of colours and thicknesses (4, 8, 12, 20 and 30mm)
  • Great resistance to staining, scratches, UV and heat
  • Good warranty terms

Acrylic Solid Surfaces

  • 0% silica content
  • More expensive alternative
  • Limited thickness availability
  • UV stable and heat resistant but direct heat exposure not advised
  • Minimising wastage through flexibility in sheet sizing
  • Seamless joints

Natural Stone*

  • Various silica content percentages
  • Variety of products at different price points available
  • Ongoing maintenance may be an issue
  • Unlikely to satisfy specific warranty requirements

*Although this alert does not directly impact natural stone, some types have high silica content so risk of using these on projects should be considered carefully.

For an up-to-date list of available products and their usability, click here.

More information

If you need additional support, please contact the Quality Team:

Phone 1300 HUTCHIES
Email QualityTeam@hutchinsonbuilders.com.au

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10 October / Update
Installation Details for Elephant's Foot & Wastech Bin Chutes

Make sure bin chute systems are installed correctly, following the tested systems and the manufacturers’ instructions.

Check the detailed drawings from Elephant’s Foot and Wastech for different wall types (plasterboard, shaft-liner, speed panel, concrete, Hebel, and masonry).

Any changes to the tested systems must be approved by your project certifier, signed off by the fire engineer in the fire engineering report (FER), and accepted by the relevant state / territory fire service.

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