Ken O'Dowd (Flynn, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Health and Aged Care. Will the minister outline to the House why the Australian Building and Construction Commission is important for delivering new health and aged care for hardworking Australians in a timely manner?

Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Minister for Sport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you to the member for Flynn, representing the fabulous Western Queensland. I have had an opportunity already to list some of the health and aged care services that have been delayed, thanks to union stand-over tactics on building construction sites, and I can add a few more to the list today: the Richmond Epworth Hospital, the Geelong Hospital, Sandringham's Mercy Hospital and the St John of God Hospital in Geelong. That is why we need the ABCC restored, so that future sites of important health services and aged care residential facilities are not delayed. And every time I hear of patients or older Australians being unable to take advantage of new buildings because of the stand-over tactics of this Labor Party's union movement, I know that they are failing to take action where they need to.

We need the ABCC. Who do you trust to maintain law and order on these sites? Certainly not the Labor Party. Will the Leader of the Opposition control his CFMEU backers when they hold up these hospital building sites? No. This is the Leader of the Opposition who had the captain's pick of Kimberley Kitching into the Senate. Her disgraceful conduct at the Health Services Union is a matter of both comedy and legend.

During Kimberley Kitching's two years as general manager of HSU branch No. 1 in Victoria, the cash balances went backwards by $3.2 million. Where did it all go? She used the funds of vulnerable workers in the Health Services Union to try to get into parliament for two unsuccessful preselection campaigns. She was alright in the end—the Leader of the Opposition rode to the rescue. But the most egregious thing she did was to sit the online right of entry tests for at least four people. So she misrepresented people. She was referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions for impersonating someone to gain right of entry. The people who gain right of entry at building sites are supposed to have safety and concern for the workers front and central. She came into the office and said, 'Did another one; got 100 per cent again.'

A government member: Bragged about it.

She bragged about it.

Ms Chesters interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Bendigo will cease interjecting.

Ms Chesters interjecting—

The member for Bendigo will leave under 94(a).

The member for Bendigo then left the chamber.

Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Minister for Sport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

She drove around Melbourne in her flashy Series 5 BMW—parking wherever she likes and running up parking tickets valued at $66,000—while the members in the Health Services Union struggled with difficult jobs in difficult circumstances.

Mr Danby interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Melbourne Ports will cease interjecting.

Mr Danby interjecting—

The member for Melbourne Ports will leave under 94(a).

The member for Melbourne Ports then left the chamber.

Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Minister for Sport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

And who stands ready to protect her every day of the week? This Leader of the Opposition—because it is not about the health of the nation or delivering projects on time and on budget and it is not about the health of patients; it is about the health of the accounts from which Labor unions draw money to support these members. (Time expired)

Russell Broadbent (McMillan, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I clearly heard three times somebody catcalling the minister. This is unacceptable behaviour. I do not know who it was. I cannot identify the person, but they should withdraw.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Member for McMillan, I heard, through all the wall of interjections, that something was going on. I am going to say to those members—

Mr Dutton interjecting—

The Minister for Immigration will cease interjecting while I am addressing the House. It is highly disorderly to interject in that manner. I am not going to go through the Practice, but it is very clear for those members who want to read it. And if I catch anyone either catcalling or trying to impersonate members, there is a long history of being ejected from the House, and it will not just be a warning. If anyone wishes to withdraw, now having been informed of that, I will now give them the opportunity.

Mr Dutton interjecting—

No, we are not going to do that, Minister. If anyone wishes to withdraw, I will give them an opportunity. The Manager of Opposition Business has the call.