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

I give notice that, at the giving of notices on the next day of sitting, I shall withdraw business of the Senate notice of motion No. 2 standing in my name for today for the disallowance of schedule 2 of the Fair Work Amendment Regulations 2009 (No. 1). I seek leave to make a two-minute maximum statement to deal with the reasons for the withdrawal.

Leave granted.

The withdrawal by the coalition of this disallowance is done with mixed feelings. The disallowance did force the hapless Deputy Prime Minister to change the regulatory framework in relation to the modern seafarers’ award. The attempted change—might I add, by stealth—by Ms Gillard highlights Labor’s complete capture by the extreme elements of the trade union movement on industrial relations policy. Recently we saw in the Australian newspaper the way that the maritime union’s unacceptable behaviours are coming back into practice. The MUA seems to be back in town. The simple fact is that the modern seafarers’ award, as it was being promoted, would have discouraged trade, hurt the economy and cost jobs.

The withdrawal by the coalition should not be seen in any way, shape or form as an indication that we think all things have been resolved. Indeed, we will continue to monitor, and monitor very closely, the developments in this area, especially in the area of productivity. We as a coalition have a very strong record in being able to break through on the waterfront and seeing our waterfront become the most efficient of waterfronts—world standard, in relation to container movements and the like. We, unfortunately, see the modern seafarers’ award going back to the bad old days. Some movement has been made by the minister, which we welcome, but we believe that further movement will be required in due course, and we will continue to monitor the situation. I thank the Senate.

Senator Milne to move on the next day of sitting:

That there be laid on the table, no later than 4 pm on 18 November 2009, the assessment by Geoscience Australia reportedly identifying prospective sites for underground carbon dioxide storage sites in Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia referred to in an article titled ‘New Hope for Viable Clean Coal Projects’ published in theAustralian on 24 October 2009.