Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I too rise to make my contribution to the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment Bill 2013. I think it is amazing to sit here when we go on a union-bashing exercise. It is absolutely gobsmacking to hear some of the contributions from those opposite. I did not hear it but I am told that, to use up some of the Senate's valuable time, Senator McKenzie went on a tirade about those of us on this side of the chamber—our backgrounds or what union affiliation we have. As I said, I did not hear it; I was sorting out my sock drawer when she was making her contribution.

I just want to clarify a few things. Do I have a conflict of interest with this ridiculous amendment that is before the chamber? If I can be accused of being a lifelong member of the Transport Workers Union and having been awarded life membership of the Transport Workers Union, yes, I have a conflict of interest. If I am accused of being a truck driver, not a university-graduated person who just wanted to get into politics and went to work for a member of parliament or a Liberal law firm—