The National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA), with federal member for Fowler Dai Le MP, hosted a roundtable at the Australian Parliament House to discuss unfair contract terms within the construction industry.

The attendees included the Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Andrew Wallace MP, RACCA Australia, Master Plumbers Australia and New Zealand, Master Electricians Australia, AMCA Australia, ETU, Fredon and Specialist Contractors Association.

Together, the roundtable aimed to develop recommendations to the government to protect subcontractors from unfair terms commonly found in construction contracts.

Dai wrapped up her address to the Federation Chamber by speaking about the unfair contract terms roundtable she hosted alongside the NECA earlier this week speaking about the unnecessary pressures unfair contracts are placing on the industry and the effects these are having on small and medium-sized businesses.

The unfair contract terms has been a long-standing issue within the construction industry, with many subcontractors facing unfair and unbalanced contract terms imposed by head contractors.

These contracts often include clauses that allow for unilateral changes to be made, late payments, and unreasonable liability provisions. This not only impacts the financial stability of subcontractors but also puts them at a disadvantage in disputes with head contractors.