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

I accept that point but still draw a line and move on. It is interesting that in Senator Fielding’s contribution he told us that the previous government had gone too far, and yes we accept that—we did. But, interestingly in saying that we had gone too far, Senator Fielding now puts in amendments that go further than we even did. So I confess I do not quite understand the thread of logic that is going through Family First in relation to these matters.

We believe and always have believed that there is a role for unions to play—but under restricted circumstances. That is why, for example, we did believe in conscientious objection just as a little restraint in one area, which Senator Fielding voted down. But to say there should be no right of entry at all we say basically goes too far, and then to require that there be 72 hours notice as opposed to what is in the current law, which we legislated, namely 24 hours, we think is the right measure. What it highlights and again using that test that I have applied throughout this: if it is going to be anti small business and allow excessive union power, then we would be very negative to whatever the proposition might be.

But in relation to these two amendments, if the appropriate restrictions are put on at a later time—and we will be going through that—can I compliment the government on the considerable movement they have made with their proposed amendments in relation to right-of-entry provisions. I think that was to save Ms Gillard from having to sell her mother by that backtracking, but we do welcome those changes. Given the regime that I think will come out of the Senate at the end of this discussion, there will be the appropriate checks and balances that do provide the trade union movement with the opportunity to undertake a role that it has traditionally undertaken but within appropriate parameters. I think Senator Fielding’s two amendments would hogtie the unions too much. In this place you hardly ever hear me say that, because the propositions being put up by us we always think are fair and reasonable and the Labor Party usually go in the opposite direction to give more power to the unions. But on this occasion I have to say to Senator Fielding that we as a coalition believe that it does hogtie the unions too much. Therefore, we are minded to oppose those two amendments.