Alex Hawke (Mitchell, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I want to follow the excellent member's contribution by talking about my disgust at revelations that the Australian union movement is importing workers under 457 visas into Australia and employing them. Not only are unions in this country taking dues of low-paid workers—

Ms Chesters interjecting—

Every day in this chamber we have been subjected to the member for Bendigo's voice, talking about cleaners and lowly paid workers. Revelations include that the union United Voice are using 457 visa holders. So perhaps the member for Bendigo could make a phone call from her suite to her friends in United Voice and say, 'I've got a job for Australian workers. I can give you a job straightaway at the Australian unions that take your dues.' It is an absolute disgrace for us to find this out.

Not only are the unions employing 457 foreign workers; they are employing them as workplace relations advisers about the Australian workplace system. For shame! Considering the Australian Labor Party has union bosses all across its benches, members opposite should go back to their suites and take a shower, because they are dirty. They are employing foreign workers. They are on TV attacking foreign workers at the same time that they have been employing foreign workers under 457 visas. For shame! It is a disgrace. We do not want to see you again, Member for Bendigo, talking about this issue. (Time expired)

Lisa Chesters (Bendigo, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What an absolute disgrace the previous member is! How dare he stand up and criticise people who spend every single working day standing up for workers. This government has something to hide. It is not paying the cleaners of this place, this parliament, a fair deal. This government has something to hide when the cleaners who are cleaning the Department of Defence copped a $6,000 a year pay cut.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The debate is interrupted in accordance with standing order 43.