Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Hansard source

I am talking on my motion, because I am explaining to the House why a debate management motion is necessary and why the debate is being truncated in this way, because for the life of me I cannot think of any contribution from any member of the House that could add or subtract anything from the debate that has already occurred over the last three years now. So we are going to pass this motion, with the support of the House of Representatives, and get on with it, because the Australian economy needs it, businesses around the country need it and honest union leaders need these bills to be passed.

There is nothing wrong with unions, nothing at all. They have a very important part in our society, in our economy, in ensuring that the rights of workers are protected, that their health is protected. I have never been anti-union. The unions have a very important role. But there are rogue unions, or rogue union leaders, in particular, who are behaving badly—and we have given example after example in question time and debate, even as recently as today, with the video that was released by the Prime Minister's office which indicated the extraordinary behaviour on a site in the Gold Coast. Even as recently as today these practices continue. I cannot understand why the Labor Party, or in fact the member for Kennedy, will not support this ABCC legislation. It would improve our country, it would be good for all those who are involved in the building and construction industry, and therefore I commend my motion to the House.

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