Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Women) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Hume for her question—and yes, I am. The need to further strengthen accountability and improved governance in registered organisations is acknowledged by many respected former union leaders. For example, Bill Shorten's successor as National Secretary of the Australian Workers Union, Paul Howes, said three years ago:

I can't see any reason why anyone in the—

union—

movement would fear having the same penalties that apply to company directors.

Mr Howes also stated that he had no issue with coalition policy. Former ACTU President Martin Ferguson stated:

There is an absolute obligation on the union movement to clean up its house.

Former Labor Attorney-General Robert McClelland said there was 'unquestionably a case for further legislative reform'. And former ACTU Secretary Bill Kelty has publicly stated:

I was always on that side of the debate which said that unions are public bodies so they are accountable to members for their management …

I never cared that people knew how much I got paid. We had very strict rules about how much money you could earn outside the ACTU too.

Sensible figures—and I think these people are seen as sensible figures—within the Australian union movement recognise that the integrity and credibility of organisations depend on them being transparent and accountable. It is very clear that the existing laws in relation to registered organisations do not demand this accountability and transparency. Because there is a flaw in the existing policy, it is incumbent upon this parliament and this Senate to rectify that flaw.