COMPLEX CO Complex Projects but a Simple Approach to Business

The foundation for Complex Co was set by recently passed MBA Life Member, John Haskins, in 1958 when he formed his civil construction business, John Haskins & Staff.

John was President of MBA ACT 1993–1998 and for two interim periods in 1999 and 2013–2014. John was recognised with the Member of the Order of Australia medal (AM) in 2009. The medal was awarded for his service to the building and construction sector through executive roles with industry organisations, and to the community.

Following John’s passing last year, Master Builders ACT introduced the John Haskins AM Award which will be bestowed annually to a deserving member of the ACT construction industry who has shown exceptional leadership qualities and provided a substaintial contribution to the industry.

John’s son Mark went on to start his own company with business partner Peter Hawkins. While the company name may be different from John’s, both businesses shared the same passion for civil construction and an emphasis on comradrie and community.

In 2019, Mark’s sons, Lachlan and Matthew Haskins, took over Complex Co. Since then, Lachlan and Matthew have led the company to deliver many award-winning projects.

IN 2022 THE COMPLEX CO TEAM WERE AWARDED:

CCF Earth Awards

> Project value up to $2 million – Hotel Kurrajong Carpark

> Project value $2 million to $5 million – Belconnen Arts Centre Foreshore Path Link

> Outstanding ACT Government Project – Namarag

> WH&S Civil – Strengthening of Bridge 3092 & 3093

> Outstanding Woman in Civil Construction – Zoe Livas

Master Builders and Asset Construction Hire

Excellence Awards

> Project Manager of the Year – Madison Williams

> Civil Other – Namarag

> Civil Public Spaces – Belconnen Arts Centre Foreshore Path Link

> Civil Subcontractor of the Year

After three consectutive years of winning Civil Construction Business of the Year, Complex Co became the inaugural member of the Business Excellence Awards Hall of Fame in 2021.

Lachlan and Matthew have followed in their grandfathers footsteps by taking an active role in industry advocacy, including sitting on the Civil Contractors Federation (CCF) Board of Directors and regularly attending the Master Builders ACT Civil Sector Meetings to have their say on key industry issues.

Matthew and Lachlan have created an executive team who share their same passion for civil construction and their insatiable quest for efficient and effective practices. The Complex Co Executive team comprises of:

> Matthew Haskins – Director

> Lachlan Haskins – Director

> Regan James – Chief Operating Officer

> Madison Williams – Senior Construction Manager

With Matthew and Lachlan already having a remarkable number of achievements under their belts, it will be great to see how they will continue their family’s 60-year legacy in the industry.

A BRAVE NEW WORLD for Industrial Relations

The introduction and passing of amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) at the end of 2022 saw a seismic shift in the industrial relations landscape, ending over 30 years of bipartisan support for core elements of Australia’s industrial relations system. The ‘Secure Jobs, Better Pay’ legislation was sold to the general public as being necessary to get wages moving, but was unfortunately, from our perspective, rushed through the Federal Parliament with a lack of scrutiny and poor consultation. The legislative changes that impact the building and construction sector are outlined in detail in this article, noting there are various commencement dates. There are further industrial relations legislative changes expected throughout 2023; members will be kept updated with those developments as and when they occur.

Already Underway

When the legislation passed, some key elements commenced immediately. They are:

> Contract terms that prevent employees from disclosing their pay are now prohibited (the ‘pay secrecy’ laws).

> Breastfeeding, gender identity and intersex status have become protected attributes.

> Zombie agreements are now sunsetted.

> The process for initiating bargaining has changed.

> The Fair Work Commission (FWC) can now address errors in enterprise agreements.

Abolishing the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) was an election promise of the Albanese Labor Government, and this officially occurred on 6 February 2023. This means that for the first time in almost 25 years, there is no construction specific industrial relations laws, nor is there a dedicated construction ‘watchdog’. It ultimately means that there is no-one regulating right of entry in the manner the ABCC did. It also means that the security of payment obligations and reporting that you were obliged to complete for the ABCC is no longer required. The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) is now the main workplace regulator for all industries and workplaces.

In March 2023, sexual harassment became explicitly prohibited in the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), and additional powers were given to the Fair Work Commission to deal with matters concerning sexual harassment. Employers can now be held vicariously liable for sexual harassment that occurs ‘in connection with work’ – a very broad definition. Members are encouraged to review their policies and procedures on preventing and managing sexual harassment in the workplace.

More To Come

The next tranche of amendments will take effect in June 2023. This is when significant changes to multi-employer bargaining will come into effect, the Better Off Overall Test (BOOT) will change to be applied more flexibly and on a ‘global’ basis, and the Fair Work Commission will be able to deal with disputes relating to requests for flexible work and requests for unpaid parental leave.

Whilst the majority of civil, residential and commercial construction work will be excluded from industry-wide bargaining streams – a big advocacy win for our members – we anticipate that the industry will still be impacted as not all subcontractors and suppliers have been carved out. It is important that regardless of your sector, if you have previously had an enterprise agreement, you receive a bargaining notice, or you’re interested in what an enterprise agreement means for your business, you contact the team to discuss.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

If you want to know more about the changes to the industrial relations system and what it means for you and your business, please contact our team at canberra@mba.org.au, or phone (02) 6175 5900 during business hours.

From 1 Feburary 2023, employees of non-small business employers, will have access to 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave per year, as part of the National Employment Standards. These days are available in full (i.e. they don’t accrue), and they don’t carry over from year to year. Employees of small business employers will have access to this from 1 August 2023.

A worker receiving compensation benefits in the ACT is now entitled to take or accrue annual leave and long service leave, removing the restriction under s 130(1) of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).

Manteena

United Leadership Across the Manteena Group

Lou Agnello joined Manteena as a Site Supervisor in 1981, only two years after the company was founded. Now, 42 years on, Lou is a Director and Senior Construction Manager with Manteena Security.

Lou not only carries out executive management duties for the company, but also provides construction management support to both project managers and site supervisors. Lou has gathered a wealth of experience in construction, and he is proactive about sharing his knowledge with the next generation of builders, including his two sons, Simon and Danny.

Simon joined Manteena in 1997, starting out as a labourer before working his way up the building site ranks—from administration roles to project management positions then into senior management appointments.

In 2007, Simon was promoted to Manager of the Minor Works Division, where he led the activities of the core business unit—a role that later evolved to include larger commercial building projects. Now as a director of Manteena and the Operations Manager of Manteena Commercial, Simon is an astute technical builder who leads by example, imparting buildability and construction ingenuity knowledge for the betterment of his clients’ projects. As a leader, he openly shares his experience through the mentoring of junior staff and as a collaborative partner with his clients. Simon was instrumental in the implementation of the Draft72 program for Building Construction Wellness for Manteena employees—a wholistic program of physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual health.

Danny joined Manteena in 2001 and, like Simon, he began his career as a labourer before taking up the role of Project Administrator, working in both the security and commercial divisions. Progressing through to Project Manager, Danny worked on some significant projects such as the National Gallery of Australia New Look and the James Turrell Skyspace Within without. Danny is now a Director and Operations Manager of Manteena Residential. In this role, he led the company to win House of the Year at the 2021 Master Builders and Asset Construction Hire Excellence Awards. Manteena Residential was also awarded National Residential Master Builder of the Year at the 2021 National Excellence in Building

& Construction Awards. Danny also employs the 2022 MBA Group Training Apprentice of the Year, Mitchell Gatenby, who you can read more about on page 42.

The Manteena team are passionate about people: mentoring team members, supporting health and wellbeing, promoting from within and giving back to the Canberra community. This year the Manteena team raised money for Soldier On by completing the March On Challenge, which involved walking/ running 96 kilometres across the month of March. Manteena is a Platinum Pledge Partner of Soldier On because of their passion for helping veterans in the community.

Manteena also works with Roundabout Canberra who provide safe, high quality and essential baby and children’s items to families in need. The team collects donations at their office, as well as occasionally assisting with cleaning and sorting donations.

Manteena is continuing to grow and earn well-deserved recognition in the industry, including recently being awarded 2022 National Large Construction Business of the Year at the Master Builders Australia Excellence in Building Awards. With Lou, Simon, and Danny united with the other Directors at Manteena, their collective leadership will drive the success of the entire Manteena Group for years to come.