Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for his ongoing interest in industrial relations. Dealing with news reports today concerning allegations—perhaps it is worth while finalising the Victorian ETU matter—are the subject of Federal Court proceedings. This government is on the side of accountability for representative organisations. We have proposed and have moved the Fair Work Act to deal with that. If there are allegations of impropriety then they should be reported to the relevant body so they can be investigated. If the senator has information that is relevant then he should refer the matter; he should not sit on it and use it in question time. I am confident that Fair Work Australia, as an independent body, will independently investigate matters that, if you say are true, can be raised and put to it. (Time expired)