Stephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Abetz, I move:

That the Senate—

(a)

thanks the Honourable John Lloyd PSM for his diligent and professional service to the Australian people, and to the Australian building and construction industry through his 5 year stewardship of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC), and wishes him well in his retirement;

(b)

notes the ABCC celebrates its 5th anniversary on 1 October 2010;

(c)

thanks the staff of the ABCC, past and present, for their service and dedication which has resulted in real change to the building and construction sector;

(d)

notes that during the tenure of Mr Lloyd the work of the ABCC has contributed significantly to the Australian economy and community, including an annual economic welfare gain of $5.5 billion (2007-08 terms), a reduction in consumer price index of 1.2 per cent and an increase to gross domestic product of 1.5 per cent; and

(e)

the ABCC has also significantly reduced the incidence of thuggery and illegal activity on Australia’s building and construction sites through successful prosecution of illegal behaviour and the ABCC is to be commended for fulfilling its responsibility in supporting a workplace relations framework that ensures building work is carried out fairly, efficiently and productively.

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I seek leave to make a short statement.

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for two minutes.

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Because of the inappropriate detail contained within the motion—and I will not go specifically to that detail—the government does not support this motion. The government, however, acknowledges the work of the Hon. John Lloyd as the first Commissioner of the Australian Building and Construction Commission. Mr Lloyd’s appointment expired on 28 September 2010. On Tuesday this week the government announced that Mr Leigh Johns would replace Mr Lloyd as commissioner. The government is committed to reintroducing the Building and Construction Industry Improvement Amendment (Transition to Fair Work) Bill 2009 as an early priority.

Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I seek leave to make a short statement.

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for two minutes.

Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

For reasons similar to those set out by Senator Ludwig, I cannot support the motion. I think Senator Ludwig has summed it up pretty well in terms of what my position will be on this.

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question now is that the motion moved by Senator Parry at the request of Senator Abetz be agreed to.