Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Chances are the blue card will be dispensed with because, as Senator Williams just quietly interjected, the Transport Workers Union will have enough money by then. Whether that is the case or not, the question is: what is going to happen with the road safety regulations after that?

I suggest that the legislated regulations under the various acts that I have already referred to are sufficient and that the blue card is simply a front for the funding purposes that I have outlined. If it were so vital you would think there would be a mechanism to ensure that the New South Wales award, which is peculiar in this regard, would continue beyond 2014. I say to the Senate that the New South Wales system is a disgrace and, if the Senate were to vote, by implication, that it is an okay system, I think it would be a very sorry day for the Senate.