Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

There has been general, broad community debate about these matters, and the assertion that only construction workers are subject to these powers in relation to the former commission and the existing Fair Work Building and Construction is false, because they apply to all managers, contractors and workers alike. The ACCC chair has said that it was only by using compulsory powers that it was able to continue its case against the CFMEU, and that was in enforcing consumer and competition laws.

Even Labor's own review of the previous ABCC concluded that it would 'not be a responsible course to recommend removing compulsory powers'. In short, these powers are essential to confronting the blatant contempt for the rule of law displayed on construction sites. It is interesting to observe that the Labor Party believes that there should be harsher investigative powers for a potential welfare cheat under Centrelink legislation than those that would engage in corruption on construction sites.