Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The coalition supports the principle and thrust of the motion but, as is so often the case, with innocuous-sounding Green motions there is a sting in the tail. The tail here is the last words of the motion, which refer to the full maintenance of union powers on occupational health and safety. Those of us who have in recent times read the High Court case of Kirk, which deals with that situation in New South Wales, and those of us who have read the Federal Court decisions in relation to prosecutions undertaken by the Australian Building and Construction Commission know that those full powers are, from time to time, not used in the way that would be appropriate. In those circumstances the coalition will be opposing on the voices but are not seeking to divide.

Question agreed to.