Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

No, I think the workmanship would get shoddier—who knows? But I think Senator Troeth and the government could have done a lot better. If we can have the moral conscience to look after those who cannot look after themselves, or those who would be exploited, why the heck did we not move and do something more for the truck drivers who are the dependent contractors around this country?

It does make me wonder why. I have no idea. I know that, in the other place, Mr Tuckey, the member for O’Connor, has been furiously working behind the scenes to get his peers to knock out any exclusion for truck drivers. I use the term ‘knock out’ very loosely, because I know that that has probably been a touchy word to use in the coalition party room lately. Mind you—if you will indulge me, Chair—I recall that in 2001 when Mr Tuckey was minister for fisheries he was talking to a group of bluefin tuna fishermen. The meeting was going well until someone mentioned bluefin and then he wanted to knock them all out. I think the wording was that he offered to take them outside for a fight. So I can understand that a lot of senators opposite were probably very touchy on having the opportunity for truck drivers to have exemptions around the country.

I do not know what is in it for the government to make them so fixated on wanting subcontractors not to be represented. Ken Phillips from the Independent Contractors of Australia really must have them on the run. He is a paid talking head. I do not know how much he is paid; I know he has been paid a large amount of money by the courier companies in Australia and has a lot to gain from this. What I do not know is what the independent contractors have to gain out of this.

I would just like to make one comment while we are talking about these government proposals. I noticed when we had the last couple of divisions that Senator Fielding from Family First in Victoria slinked into the chamber. He has not been involved in any of the debate here, but he could not wait to vote with the government. I would like to see the family impact statement on these bills. It would be interesting, because Senator Fielding has been very conspicuous in his absence. He stands there and bleats about looking after families—the families of Australia happen to drive trucks as well.