A message from CCF WA CEO Andy Graham

In these difficult and uncertain times, CCF WA is focused on supporting our Members the best we can and continuing our role as the 'voice' of the Western Australian civil construction industry.

Many of you have contacted CCF in the past week. Your updates and insights on what’s happening in the market, and how your business is being affected, have been much appreciated and very useful in informing how we respond on behalf of the industry.

The main purpose of this message is to make it clear that civil construction activity has not been stopped by either the Federal Government’s latest restrictions on non-essential services or the State Government’s latest control measures. The construction sector (including businesses supplying construction goods, materials and services) have not been included in the list of ‘non-essential services’ that are prohibited. Therefore, the clear message is that we are in the ‘essential’ category and should keep calm and carry on.

At an advocacy level, CCF WA has written to the Premier and key Ministers responsible for infrastructure delivery, welcoming the ‘essential traveller’ exemptions to border closures announced on Tuesday, which will assist movement of essential construction industry personnel and freight.

We have further requested that civil infrastructure construction and maintenance activity be permitted to continue in the event of any further restrictions. The nature of civil infrastructure construction and maintenance operations – typically outdoors and with a low density of workers compared to other sectors – means that highly effective control measures can be implemented with relatively little disruption to workflows.

CCF has reminded the State Government that the civil construction industry has historically led the way in implementation of safety management systems and safer work processes, in partnership with our clients in Government and the private sector. We have adapted quickly to the current situation and implemented tough and effective control measures.

If our industry is to continue receiving this licence to operate, it is up to all of us to demonstrate our commitment to keeping civil construction workplaces safe, by ‘walking the walk’ and adhering closely to infection control measures, every minute of the day. We must integrate 'social distancing' into all processes and maintain separation of at least 1.5m at all times. These measures to reduce close contact should be supported by a stringent focus on hygiene, through regular hand washing/sanitising and industrial grade cleaning of common areas/equipment.

Managing the risks from COVID-19 – advice for employers from Safe Work Australia

Coronavirus (COVID-19) resources – fact sheets and downloadable posters.

Coronavirus and Australian workplace laws – latest advice from the Fair Work Ombudsman

 

Support for businesses

The Federal and State Governments have announced a wide range of measures designed to soften the blow to businesses.

These include:

Temporary relief for financially distressed businesses – a temporary increase to the threshold at which creditors can issue a statutory demand on a company and the time companies have to respond to statutory demands they receive.

Increasing the Instant Asset Write-Off – from $30,000 to $150,000 from 12 March 2020 until 30 June 2020, and now including businesses with annual turnover of less than $500 million (up from $50 million), along with accelerated depreciation deduction arrangements.

Boosting cash flow for employers – between $20,000 and $100,000 to SME businesses (annual turnover under $50 million) that make eligible payments, e.g. salary and wages.

State Government assistance includes one-off grants of $17,500 to businesses with annual wages between $1 million and $4 million

Supporting apprentices and trainees - businesses employing fewer than 20 full?time employees who retain an apprentice or trainee can apply for a wage subsidy of 50% of the apprentice’s or trainee’s wage paid during the 9 months to 30 September 2020.

Latest information on temporary changes to superannuation arrangements from CBUS

CCF WA is aware there is considerable uncertainty about how State Government departments, agencies and corporations will deal with contractual obligations that may not be met because of this unprecedented event. We have written to infrastructure delivery agencies/GTEs urging them to extend Government contracts without penalty if delays directly result from staff absences or supply delays caused by COVID-19, and to direct head contractors that they will only be granted such an extension if it is passed ‘down the chain’ to all subcontractors and suppliers.  We would expect the same consideration is shown by clients in Local Government and the private sector. All businesses will be under financial pressure during this crisis. As a matter of principle, businesses must not be put under further pressure, or even fail, by being unfairly penalised. If you feel this principle is not being adhered to, then please let us know.

(Please contact ccfwa@ccfwa.com.au as our office may be unattended)