Civil Constructional Corps

The formation of the CCC was primarily the responsibility of Ted Theodore, the Director-General of the Allied Works Council who advocated for a civilian based labour force.

While there was a success in the work conducted, the pay and conditions showed little respect to members, being a contentious issue contributing to the abolishment of the CCC in 1946.

In April 1942, the CCC was established to supply labour forces for the creation of infrastructure such as aerodromes, gun emplacements, barracks, roads and other projects undertaken by the Allied Works Council.

The Declaration signed outlined the war aims of the Allied Forces, notably stating: “Complete victory over their enemies is essential to defend life, liberty, independence and religious freedom, and to preserve human rights and justice in their own lands as well as in other lands, and that they are now engaged in a common struggle against savage and brutal forces seeking to subjugate the world.

With the Allied Works Council proving to be insufficient in providing manpower and resources, this lack of the supply of labour[6] paved the way for new organisations to be formed.

[8] Thus, eventuating to the formal formation of the CCC in April 1942 to solve the issue of sourcing more labour and to conduct war-related construction projects.

While the pay was determined by the civilian award rates, this was only agreed upon to also prohibit certain rights such as refusal of work, sick leave, strikes, army entitlement, dependants’ allowances and repatriation benefits.

[10] When the War Cabinet agreed to the formation of the CCC, Ted Theodore also worked to ensure that any disagreement or action that went against his set policies by the members would have immediate and strong punishments.

If the Government is not favourable to granting the authority I seek for the real and active control of this labour, the only alternative I can submit is to arrange that all men called up for Allied works be subject to military attestment and remain under military discipline while they are employed on our works (“Australia in the War of 1939–1945: Series Four (Civil); Volume I: The Government and the People, 1939–1941,” 1953).” The War Cabinet decided in favour of Ted Theodore on 27 April 1942 and gave him authority for summary prosecutions of offences.

In the years prior to the formation of the CCC, Australia’s war effort was relatively minor in contrast to the other nations as part of the Allied Forces.

[8] John Curtin, the Australian Prime Minister of years 1941 – 1945, announced on 19 February 1942 the National Economic Plan with included taking control of manpower, thus having a direct impact on the CCC.