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

I can inform the Senate that, as we speak, no fewer than 72—that is six dozen—CFMEU officials are currently before the courts, including the national secretary, the Victorian secretary, the Victorian president and the Victorian vice president. I simply pose this question: what would Labor and the Australian Greens say if there were 72 company directors or 72 bankers currently before the law for breach of their statutory duties and requirements? What would Labor say? They would say there is a crisis. They would say that this behaviour is endemic. They would say special laws were needed. And I would agree with them. That is why I invite them to seriously consider the matters that are, in fact, before the Senate. (Time expired)