Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Government Services and the Digital Economy) Share this | Hansard source

FLETCHER (—) (): I seek leave to move the following motion:

That this House notes that:

(1) The Government introduced the 249 page Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Bill on 27 October and rushed it through the House forcing its passage on 10 November through the use of a gag motion which greatly curtailed debate;

(2) the process was so rushed and chaotic that on 9 November the Government moved a further 34 pages of amendments;

(3) the Bill would make radical changes to Australia's industrial relations system including:

(a) abolishing the Australian Building and Construction Commission and the Registered Organisations Commission;

(b) introducing compulsory multi-employer bargaining;

(c) expanding the supported bargaining stream enabling businesses to be covered without their actual agreement; and

(d) giving unions new powers including:

        (i) forcing an employer to bargain for a replacement agreement, even if the employer and the majority of its employees do not wish to bargain; and

        (ii) vetoing an agreement reached by an employer and a majority of its employees to remove themselves from coverage by an agreement;

(4) the measures in the Bill, and the chaotic and rushed process, have been criticised by a wide range of stakeholders, including the Australian Industry Group, Business Council of Australia, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia, Minerals Council of Australia, National Farmers Federation, Australian Retailers Association, Civic Contractors Federation, Australian Hotels Association, Housing Industry Association, Master Builders Australia, Franchise Council of Australia, Manufacturing and Clubs Australia; and

(5) this Bill puts the narrow sectional interests of union bosses ahead of the interests of all Australians in a prosperous and harmonious society in which businesses of all sizes can grow and prosper, working in alignment with their employees, their suppliers, their shareholders and the broader community; and this House therefore calls on the Government to lay aside this damaging and ill-considered Bill.

Leave not granted.

See this speech in context