Bridget McKenzie Victoria, National Party
2:17 pm
My question is to the Minister for Employment, Senator Abetz. Is the minister concerned about continuing revelations of thuggery and intimidation in the building industry? What measures does the government intend to take to address this problem?
Eric Abetz Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment
All Australians should be deeply concerned by the recent reports of threats and intimidation in the building industry. Unfortunately, these revelations are merely the latest addition to the decades-long rap sheet of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union. In 2003 the Cole royal commission found that the Australian—
Doug Cameron NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services
Mr President, I rise on a point of order. The point of order is accuracy. The minister should ensure that he is accurate in his responses—
Stephen Parry President
Senator Cameron, that is not a point of order; you are debating the point! There is no point of order.
Eric Abetz Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment
I did refer to reports. In 2003, however, the Cole royal commission found that the Australian building industry was plagued by a culture of lawlessness due to militant—
Opposition senators interjecting—
Stephen Parry President
Pause the clock! The noise, again, from the left is terrible.
Doug Cameron NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services
You're making allegations!
Jacinta Collins Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary
And it's not the first time!
Eric Abetz Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment
In response to these findings the former coalition government established the Australian Building and Construction Commission. Under the ABCC building industry productivity was higher, fewer days were lost to industrial action and the rule of law was respected. But when the Labor-Greens government dismantled the ABCC the bad old days came back.
Under Labor's thug-friendly laws working days lost to industrial action in the building industry multiplied not by two, not by three, not even by four but by a factor of seven. A factor of seven! A re-established Australian Building and Construction Commission will ensure that honest workers are protected, businesses are productive, the rule of law is upheld and benefits are delivered.
Kim Carr Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science
It's a star chamber!
Doug Cameron NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services
We agree with Senator Smith; it's an abuse of human rights!
Stephen Conroy Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Absolutely fraudulent! It's a farce!
Eric Abetz Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment
It is amazing how the Australian Labor Party interjects—today's Labor Party—because a former ACTU president and distinguished Labor minister—none other than Martin Ferguson—has said that the ABCC is a mechanism that holds both sides to account and which can help deliver projects on time and on budget. Why those opposite would— (Time expired)
Bridget McKenzie Victoria, National Party
2:20 pm
Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Is the minister aware of the severity of the problems in the building industry in Victoria? Is the minister aware of any particular reasons why the problem is so bad in my home state?
Eric Abetz Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment
I thank the senator for her question and acknowledge that her home state of Victoria has unfortunately suffered the worst excesses of thuggery and intimidation in the building industry.
I am sure that all honourable senators will remember the unlawful Myer Emporium picket for which the CFMEU was fined a record $1.25 million for criminal contempt of court. And yet the Victorian leader of the Labor Party, Daniel Andrews, continues to embrace the CFMEU with his own socialist-left faction. Not only did he share centre stage with the union at the ALP state conference but he continues to accept record amounts of money from that union—over $5 million in donations from the CFMEU.
Doug Cameron NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services
What about the Free Enterprise Foundation?
Stephen Conroy Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
You've got an ICAC investigation into your developer friends!
Doug Cameron NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services
Arthur! Tell them about the funds in NSW!
Kim Carr Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science
You can argue that there is an investigation—
Eric Abetz Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment
And it is for exactly that reason that the ALP opposite are interjecting.
Bridget McKenzie Victoria, National Party
2:22 pm
Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Is the government taking steps to protect those involved in the building industry, both workers and employers, from the thuggery and intimidation currently plaguing it?
Eric Abetz Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment
The last few years have seen many scandals—in the HSU, the Australian Workers Union, the ETU, the TWU and the CFMEU. Legislation is currently—
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Opposition Senators:
Opposition senators interjecting—
Eric Abetz Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment
Regrettably, the interjections opposite are indicative of the Labor Party running a protection racket for the likes of Michael Williamson and Craig Thomson, whom they defended for a long time. What we are seeking to do is introduce a Registered Organisations Commission, something that has gained the support of a former Labor Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, and a former secretary of the Australian Workers Union, Ian Cambridge. We have these Labor people saying, 'This is needed to clean up the trade union movement', but these old hacks refuse to accept the reality. (Time expired)