House debates Questions without Notice
Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
2:59 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to his last answer, where he talked of defending the indefensible. Does the Prime Minister stand by his statement that, and I quote:
Kathy Jackson is speaking up for the right and she deserves a bit of support from the leader of our country.
Ms Rishworth interjecting—
Tony Smith Speaker
The member for Kingston is warned. I call the Prime Minster.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
3:00 pm
It is interesting that, having tried to get the royal commission into union corruption shut down a few minutes ago, now they are actually utilising their work; that is what they are doing. It is the ultimate hypocrisy from members opposite: they try to get the royal commission close down when it suits them and then they use it when it suits them.
Ms Chesters interjecting—
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
I am pleased that this government established the royal commission into trade union corruption.
Ms Chesters interjecting—
Tony Smith Speaker
The member for Bendigo will not interject again and remain in the chamber.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
I am pleased that we established that royal commission, under one of Australia's most distinguished former judges—a judge appointed to the New South Wales Court of Appeal by the New South Wales Labor government and appointed by the coalition to the High Court of Australia.
Ms Chesters interjecting—
Tony Smith Speaker
The member for Bendigo will leave under 94(a).
The member for Bendigo then left the chamber .
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
I am very pleased that this royal commission is getting to the bottom of bad behaviour by union officials. Whatsoever they may have done, if it is bad behaviour they are being exposed by this royal commission—and that is the way it should be. Members opposite, if they were fair dinkum for a moment about honest workers and honest unionism, would support the work of this royal commission. I remind the House that already 30 individuals, including 26 union and ex-union officials, have been referred to 11 agencies for possible charges. That is as it should be, because if people have done the wrong thing and broken the law they should be prosecuted, and members opposite should not try to close down this royal commission.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
Mr Speaker, on a point of order—
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
I know he has concluded, but how is it possible to be relevant to that answer without once mentioning Kathy Jackson?
Tony Smith Speaker
the Prime Minister did indeed make reference in the answer if you look back. You can check the Hansard when it comes through later on. I call the member for Herbert.