Tim Wilson (Goldstein, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Small Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. Journalist Nick McKenzie, who was uncovering the truth about corruption in the CFMEU and its links to organised crime and gangland figures, has endured home intrusions in a chilling act of intimidation that has no place in this country. Australians deserve to know the truth. What specific action has the government taken to protect journalists who are just doing their jobs to expose CFMEU corruption?

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question was not particularly under the minister's portfolio, in terms of the action that you asked. So it should be really directed to another minister, but if the minister's happy to answer part of the question?

Amanda Rishworth (Kingston, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm happy to answer part of it.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Sure. The minister has the call.

Amanda Rishworth (Kingston, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Firstly, I thank the member for his question. I think every member of this House would have absolutely no tolerance for intimidation of journalists or, indeed, anyone in this country. I am going to speak to whistleblowing for people coming forward about the CFMEU, because that does fall into my responsibilities. Not only are there protections in the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act; our government specifically built in whistleblower protections in the administration. And, of course—

Well, I was asked about whistleblowers and protections for Australians, so I am answering that question. There are specific provisions in the administration that protect people coming forward. I would make one point, though. In my conversations with the administrator, the action that he is taking ensures, first and foremost, the safety of his staff. That is the seriousness with which he is undertaking his work, the safety of his staff, and of course that extends to all Australians. We take this job seriously. We are taking this with the level of attention that those opposite have not done.

There is no place for violence in this country. There is no place for intimidation of anyone—journalists or any Australian worker. We are committed, as I've said on numerous occasions, to getting the job done—stamping out violence, criminality and corruption from the building industry. We are committed to doing just that.