Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

It has everything to do with it. The truth is that those opposite do not believe that there should be unions in the construction industry. If there weren't unions in the construction industry, the number of deaths on worksites would increase. The number of injuries on worksites would increase. I've been in this place for 26 years, and not once have I heard any coalition member speak about safety on construction sites. Not once! Not once have I seen a criticism of employers who, when left unfettered without the protection of unions, often engaged in activities that lead to tragedies in those workplaces. Not once!

All workers should be subject to the same laws and regulations as others. That is the simple principle that we on this side hold. The ABCC has not done anything to improve workplace safety. It doesn't do anything to guard against wage theft—which we will make a crime, by the way. Those opposite had the numbers to make wage theft a crime, and the member's question went to this. It went to the issue of the retention of wages and paying them back. Well, those opposite actually had legislation before this House that was passed, and, when it got to the Senate, they withdrew the provisions about wage theft being made a crime. The truth is that good unions and employers work together to share a common interest, which is why we'll be bringing them together at the Jobs and Skills Summit.

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