Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for his question. I am pleased to be able to explain how our policy is far better than Work Choices. Even Mr Turnbull said that Work Choices is dead. The opposition’s Work Choices legislation permanently removed the right of unions to enter workplaces to hold discussions with employees. In our view, that was completely over the top. The Rudd government’s right of entry laws consider the right of employees to be represented by unions and to hold discussions and ensure the right of employers to run their business without interference. The government’s new workplace relations system will ensure that unions comply with strict entry conditions. The union official must hold a valid right of entry permit—a permit which is only issued to a fit and proper person; the permit holder must give at least 24-hours notice before entering; and the permit holder must, on the basis on which he or she enters, exercise that right— (Time expired)