Application of innovative protocols and technologies as a means of complying with the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payments Act 1999

The Australian Building and Construction Industry Security of Payments Act 1999 (updated 27 November 2003) provides a statutory framework governing compulsory progress payments for those who undertake construction works or provide goods or services as part of a construction contract. The onerous administrative processes of the Act are claimed to disadvantage the respondents. This paper reports research investigating the use of two recent innovations that could assist all parties in the administration of the Act. The first is the Society of Construction Law’s Delay and Disruption Protocol's "model clauses" for the recording of project information and the monitoring of project progress, and the second is the use of Web based technology as a project administrative tool for the efficient and effective recording and communication of that information.