John Howard (Bennelong, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

As indicated last night by the minister for immigration, the allegations made in relation to Dartbridge Welding and Filipino workers are being investigated. I will await that investigation before passing judgement on the allegations that have been made. There is some suggestion that they are being paid the market rates, but let us have all of the facts.

Of one thing we can be absolutely certain, and it is this: in investigating that issue, the government will consistently uphold the principle of freedom of association. We will make sure that, if people have suffered a penalty because they joined the union, there will be some redress as a result of that—

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