The scandal that engulfed the CFMEU has sparked calls for the re-establishment of a building industry watchdog, which was abolished by Labor in the wake of winning the 2022 election.

Peter Dutton has pledged to reboot the Australian Building and Construction Commission  if elected, while Anthony Albanese says the body did little to rein in the CFMEU when it existed.

The ABCC was established by Malcolm Turnbull in 2016 after initial reforms were twice rejected by the Senate -  triggering a double dissolution election over the issue.