Andrew Wallace (Fisher, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

They say that Christmas is the time for giving. Clearly this time in this parliament is a time for the ALP to give back to their union paymasters. We know that the ALP are constantly receiving financial assistance from the unions, and now the unions are saying, 'Righto, it's time to give us something back.' And the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Bill 2022 will fundamentally change the way industrial relations is dealt with in this country. It will wind back the clock for the construction industry. I'm looking across the aisle. Can any one of those members opposite raise their hand and say: 'I have worked—not just turned up on a building site in hi-vis and a hard hat—on building sites'?

A government member: I note a number of people have raised their hands!

Mining doesn't count. You should come over this side, because you will know the absolute bullying and intimidation that the CFMMEU perpetrate on every building site. If you guys are serious, those of you who say that you've worked in the building industry, come over here. Because this is the side of politics that supports the building industry, as opposed to the CFMMEU. You guys talk the big talk about looking after workplaces and having respectful workplaces.

See this speech in context