On 4 March 2020, two of Cornwalls' Brisbane Partners, Ian Heathwood and Brent Turnbull, had the pleasure of appearing before the Transport and Public Works Parliamentary Committee of the Queensland Parliament in relation to the Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2020 (Bill). 

In the written submission, and in their oral evidence, Ian and Brent advocated for several beneficial changes to the Bill. 

On Friday 20 March 2020, the Committee reported on the Bill. In doing so, Cornwalls were pleased to observe that the Committee adopted a number of their suggested improvements including:

• the strengthening of anti-avoidance measures;
• the clarification of the circumstances in which statutory trusts will not be required; and
• the removal of the anomalous 'head contractor' exception to section 42 from the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991 (Qld). 

More information and the full Bill can be found HERE. 

Cornwalls are confident that the amended Bill is a vast improvement upon what was originally released for discussion; and that it strikes an appropriate balance between the interest of the various participants in the building and construction industry. 

Cornwalls will continue to advocate for balanced, beneficial reforms to the regulatory environment confronting the building and construction industry. Cornwalls clients come from all levels and sectors of the industry. As such, they are uniquely placed to understand the practical impact of reform from different points of view. 

Cornwalls has extensive experience in dealing with the regulatory regime confronting the building industry. If you would like to know more on how the Bill will affect you, please contact one of the Cornwalls Building & Construction lawyers.

Ian Heathwood
Partner
E i.heathwood@cornwallsqld.com.au
T +61 7 3223 5942

Brent Turnbull
Partner
E b.turnbull@cornwallsqld.com.au
T +61 7 3223 5912