Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you. The government opposes Senator Siewert’s motion. In doing so, I note that the ILO’s Committee of Experts recent report is one of the most favourable reports ever issued by the committee to an Australian government. On the senator’s first point, prior to the 2007 federal election the Rudd government made clear our intention to abolish the Australian Building and Construction Commission. Since our election we have consulted widely and introduced a balanced and sensible bill that meets this commitment. Despite the government’s mandate and the unprecedented level of consultation that preceded the bill, the opposition is opposing that bill. Importantly, even the construction industry acknowledges our mandate for change, with the Australian Constructors Association last week calling on the opposition and Independent senators to reach agreement with the government on the government’s legislative framework for the building industry.

In relation to the senator’s second point, the Committee of Experts report is in fact a strong endorsement of this government’s fair work system. I am pleased to advise the Senate that for the first time since 2001 the Committee of Experts has not expressed concern in relation to Australia’s compliance with ILO conventions and has acknowledged that the government’s Fair Work Act addresses the key concerns that the ILO repeatedly raised in relation to Work Choices.