Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Education) Share this | Hansard source

Thanks, Senator Cash. As you'd be well aware, the now government has been of the view for a long time that the ABCC is ineffective and was a waste of taxpayer money. It has been a disaster for productivity in the sector and did little to address exploitation of workers through wage theft and sham contracting, which has been allowed to run rife, with often devastating consequences. The government stands for safe, fair workplaces for all Australians. Under our government the Fair Work Ombudsman will enforce the Fair Work Act across all industries. Offensive behaviour has absolutely no role in our society. Criminal conduct on worksites is wrong, and the police should and will continue to take appropriate action where it concerns. The ABCC, I would point out, has never had a role in enforcing criminal laws.