House debates

Thursday, 13 September 2018

Statements by Members

Workplace Relations

1:49 pm

Photo of Andrew WallaceAndrew Wallace (Fisher, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

A lot has been said over the last couple of days about bullying. The Leader of the Opposition has pontificated about the scourge of bullying in the workplace. I'm the first one to say that there is no place for bullying in the workplace. But we've got to call it out when we see the hypocrisy of the Leader of the Opposition when you look at the ALP and the millions of dollars that they receive in donations from the best, the biggest bully in town, the CFMMEU, and how they continue to bully small businesses.

I'll give you an example of a small security contractor who hasn't worked in the building industry since 3 March 2015, because he hasn't been able to get a job, because the CFMEU have black-banned him across the country. He hasn't worked for over three years, because of what the CFMEU have done to his business. He can't get any work, he can't put food on the table, he can't pay his bills, because the CFMEU continue to black-ban him. What a disgrace. And the Leader of the Opposition has the gall to come in here and pontificate about workplace bullying. I'll tell you what bullying is all about: bullying is all about stopping—

Photo of Brian MitchellBrian Mitchell (Lyons, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

You'd know!

Photo of Andrew WallaceAndrew Wallace (Fisher, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

Yes, I do know. I've worked in the building industry for 30 years, unlike you. Unlike you lot over there, who have never worked a day in your life, people on this side of the House— (Time expired)