Rowan Ramsey (Grey, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

This has become a saga that is a shame on the Labor Party. They opposed us when we were in government and we first introduced the ABCC, which they removed when they came to government in 2007. Then they opposed the reintroduction of the ABCC when we brought it back in 2016, and then they removed it again after they came to government. Of course, they make the point that it wasn't as effective as it could have been. Well then, let's give it more teeth; let's give it some backbone. They've chosen not to go down that pathway; they've chosen to get rid of it instead.

The CFMEU has cost Australia hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars. The on-costs of its actions on construction around Australia, but more specifically in Victoria, are horrific. My understanding is that construction costs in Victoria are 30 per cent higher than they are over the border in New South Wales. I can tell you that a very bad piece of news for South Australia is the Victorian CFMEU.

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