Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

No, it was not Vasta, Senator. The judge, who was in fact Judge Cameron, referred to the actions of the CFMEU—these are the judge's words, Senator Green, not mine: 'These were serious contraventions … the contraventions were a form of extortion'. Senator Watt might refer to sport grants, et cetera, but what about this extortion? A Federal Court judge is referring to a CFMEU official engaging in extortion. They're affiliated with the ALP. I note Bob Hawke and Paul Keating have both said—it's on the record—that the ALP should distance themselves from the CFMEU. But for the CFMEU, you would not have the ensuring integrity legislation coming before the House of Reps and, soon, before the Senate.

There are good people on the other side of this chamber who have worked for unions and with unions. My father was a member of a union, my mother was a member of a union, I think my sister still is a member of a union.