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

Unfortunately, I can confirm for Senator McGrath that the incident which I related is not an isolated one. There have been at least 87 industrial cases against the CFMEU since 1999, most involving multiple instances of lawbreaking. Since 2001, the CFMEU has been found guilty of contempt of court on six separate occasions and fined over $1 million as a result, in addition to its legal costs. This is members' money. Judges have repeatedly condemned the union's contempt for the rule of law, finding that the concept of the rule of law was 'anathema' to it. They said, in another quote:

…the CFMEU is to be regarded as a recidivist.

It has a 'dismal' record and an 'attitude of indifference' to compliance with the requirements of the legislation. It has shown a depressing litany of misbehaviour. And who supports them? Mr Shorten and the Labor Party. (Time expired)