Penny Wright (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr Deputy President. I must say that the term, or the expression, or the description 'innocuous' is not one that readily springs to mind when I think about Senator Abetz. He may indeed be suggesting that it was an innocuous motion that was put before the Senate today, but I would like to place on the record the amendment that I sought to move, which I think was truly innocuous and actually appropriate in terms of looking at the way the law should be dealing with this particular unfortunate incident that we are all aware of. The amendment that was sought to be put to the chamber today was that the Senate 'reaffirms that union members' funds should only be spent in pursuit of the advancement of union members' interests'—and that is exceedingly clear to everybody who has been watching this tale.

The second part of the amendment supported 'enshrining in federal law high standards of accountability for the expenditure of union members' funds', and I do not think anybody could possibly disagree with that proposal. I disagree with any logic and any consistency in opposing that proposal, although that actually has been disagreed with today by the coalition, who voted against the amendment.

Finally, the amendment sought to note:

… that the role of Fair Work Australia is to investigate any allegations of breaches of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 and that it is then the role of courts—

and it is the proper role in a democracy—

to make findings as to whether those allegations are proven.

Unfortunately, the coalition could not bring themselves to support what I think was truly a reliable, logical and innocuous amendment to what was a very political motion moved today. Thank you.