Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation) Share this | Hansard source

Clearly, that does not fly. What has to happen under employment law is that somebody has to legally get leave and make the appropriate application to their employer. Therefore, of course we cannot guarantee that anybody who seeks to take leave on the day to attend a rally will not be breached. It depends on how they go about it. If they do it lawfully, as determined by the Federal Court, then they have no worries. We on this side believe that the law ought be settled not by the trade union movement but ultimately by the judiciary of this country. I think the Federal Court in this case has made a decision of which trade union members, employers and those involved in the Public Service should take note.