Fight for a fair deal for subbies

They do the work, they should get paid.

Subbies struggle to get paid on government funded construction projects. How many more subbies will lose their businesses, their homes, in some cases their families, before this is fixed? The costs to the whole community of late, delayed and non-payment are devastating.

You know the problem. Let's work together to fix it.

How can you support?

Become a member to push for fair laws. If you are not a subcontractor, but you support our cause? You can donate to give us the fighting funds we need to push state government reform.

We need every West Australian to let their local member of parliament know that we will not accept the non-payment of subbies. Subcontractors and their families deserve better.

Use the form below to email your local member of parliament.

Other Australian states have protections for subcontractors. It's time Western Australia did too.

Subbies in WA have to wait 60 - 90 days to be paid, while subbies in other states can be paid in 10 days.
Other states have a compulsory 'Payment Schedule' that contractors must provide to subbies within 10 days of the invoice date showing how much they will be paid, while subbies in WA may have to wait more than 50 days to find out if they are going to be paid at all.

SEND AN EMAIL TO YOUR MP BELOW

We need to stand together and push the State Government to legislate for a fairer process to protect the payment of subcontractors in the building and construction industry.

The best way to secure payments is to ensure

appropriate laws
fair contracts and
implement project bank accounts across the industry.

We know what needs to be done and we have blueprints from other states to guide us.

We need your help to fight for a fair deal for subbies and their families.

SEND AN EMAIL TO YOUR MP BELOW

Watch videos of local subcontractors to hear their stories.

Terry

James

David

Step 1 - Your Details

Step 2 - Your Message

I am appalled that subcontractors in WA are still not being paid on government-funded construction projects.
It's bad for families and employees and it's bad for the economy when sub-contractors don't get paid. The impacts are severe - tradies and apprentices laid off; superannuation and employment entitlements unpaid; family break ups and suicide.

What you may not realise is that the building and construction industry rests on the shoulders of subbies. They do an estimated 90% of the work, yet struggle to get paid.
The good news is that there is a fix - a fix that's in your hands.

The Premier Mark McGowan promised at the last election to implement legislation to better protect subcontractor payments.  Other Australian states have protections for subcontractors. It's time Western Australia did, too.

- Subbies in WA are waiting at least 60 - 90 days to be paid, while subbies in other states can be paid in 10 days.
- Subbies in other states receive a mandatory 'Payment Schedule' from contractors within 10 days of invoice to advise how much they will be paid and if any amounts are disputed.  If a payment schedule is not provided, the balance of the debt owed can be legally enforced. Yet, in WA subbies may have to wait more than 50 days to find out if they are going to be paid at all.
- Subbies in WA must pay at least $5000 to have a payment dispute adjudicated, yet disputes in other states can be adjudicated for as little as $500.

I am disappointed that project bank accounts have been poorly administered by the government and do not offer the protections promised. Project bank accounts are not universally applied to all government projects and across all tiers of contracting and subcontracting.  Nor do they include a withholding funds facility in case of a dispute; instead the funds are paid directly to the builder and the subcontractor is unlikely to be paid.

It's time for WA to look after our subbies.

We want a fairer industry, where subbies' rights are upheld and subbies' payments are protected and expedited. The best way to achieve this is to ensure appropriate laws, fair contracts and implement project bank accounts across the industry.

We need you to stand together with your parliamentary colleagues and legislate for a fair, simple and clear process to protect the payment of subcontractors in the building and construction industry. You have legislative blueprints from other states to guide you.

The lives of subcontractors and their families are in your hands.

Visit fightforsubbies.com.au to watch videos of subcontractors and the hardships they have endured as a result of non-payment.

Step 3 - Press Send

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