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

I have been advised that the Office of Workplace Services is investigating Corish Farms Pty Ltd in relation to the claims reported in today’s press. It is important to let the investigation run its course before making any public comment on OWS deliberations or findings. However, I would like to make two important points. The first is that the Workplace Relations Act requires employers to lodge finalised AWAs with the Office of the Employment Advocate within seven days. Employers that do not fulfil this requirement risk significant penalties. Secondly, OWS investigations into Corish Farms emphasise that it is operating as an independent agency—an independent agency that Mr Beazley called ‘snivelling little liars’, if I recall. It operates free of the political influence claimed by certain members of the opposition and the ACTU.

I was asked about the importance of government officials abiding by workplace laws. I thank the senator for that. I think it is very important, and that is why it was such a disgrace that the first member of parliament to fall foul of Labor’s unfair dismissal laws was none other than a Labor member of this parliament, the former member Con Sciacca. If you want to dredge up these things, be my guest. What I do know is that the Office of Workplace Services is investigating this matter properly and appropriately and people can have confidence in the way it operates.

I also heard a snide interjection from those opposite about the importance of those that may be endorsed some time in the future abiding by the industrial laws of this country. That interjection came from Senator Kerry O’Brien. If that is so important, the Labor Party will now—immediately—in my home state of Tasmania disendorse Kevin Harkins, the Labor candidate for Franklin, who was mentioned so often in the Cole commission of inquiry into the rorts in the building industry. If that is the standard that the Australian Labor Party are setting, I invite them to disendorse Kevin Harkins by close of business tonight.