Julian Leeser (Berowra, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Counter-Terrorism. Will the minister update the House on the government's commitment to our law enforcement agencies? Are there any threats to the integrity of our law enforcement?

Michael Keenan (Stirling, Liberal Party, Minister for Justice) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Berowra for that question. I was very pleased to update the House yesterday about our $321 million investment in the capability of the Australian Federal Police in last year's budget. That reminds us that no government is committed to the support of the Australian Federal Police like this one.

But from the other side—we have heard about the vicious attack by the secretary of the CFMEU in Victoria, John Setka, on the hardworking men and women of the Australian Federal Police. We have also heard the shocking comments that he made about his intention to track down, expose and intimidate public servants. I am pleased to advise the House that the Australian Federal Police have received a referral from Minister Cash in relation to this matter, and they are currently evaluating it for criminal charges. Unfortunately, this is only the latest example of the culture of lawlessness that we see within the CFMEU. I could give the House a list of examples: the official who walked into a Gold Coast site and threatened workers there by saying, 'I know your phone number; I know where you live'; the CFMEU member who threatened to gang-rape one of our workplace inspectors—

Mr Pasin interjecting—

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

Members on my right! The member for Goldstein. The member for Barker is warned!

Michael Keenan (Stirling, Liberal Party, Minister for Justice) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The reality is: the CFMEU have all the attributes of an organised crime gang and they have got the criminal associates and the rap sheets that go along with that.

Ms Madeleine King interjecting—

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

The member for Brand is warned!

Michael Keenan (Stirling, Liberal Party, Minister for Justice) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The real question is: why does the CFMEU still have so much influence over the Australian Labor Party? Why does John Setka still vote at the Australian Labor Party's national conference? Why does this Leader of the Opposition sit there in the face of all this evidence and do absolutely nothing? The answer is that this Leader of the Opposition is completely owned by this guy. He is completely owned by this guy. The CFMEU is the most powerful organisation within the Victorian Labor Party machine. Just last month we saw a senior Labor source briefing The Australian:

… the CFMEU has taken over the branch and everyone is too scared to do anything about it.

Over the last decade, the CFMEU has donated $8.7 million to the Australian Labor Party. The Leader of the Opposition's leadership is dependent on the factional alliance that he has with the CFMEU. What will it take for this Leader of the Opposition to actually do something to stop the CFMEU from influencing his political party? What will it take for him to stop taking their money? How much evidence of lawlessness, how many crimes committed, will it take for you to take action? (Time expired)

Mr Rob Mitchell interjecting—

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

The member for McEwen has already been warned.

Ms Husar interjecting—

The member for Lindsay will cease interjecting.