Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Hansard source

I think this is just yet another rant from Senator Abetz about the building industry.

Senator Abetz interjecting—

I am responding to the question, Senator. I have been in this chamber long enough, including on the Work Choices debate—

Senator Abetz interjecting—

That is just petty. I have been in this chamber long enough, including on the Work Choices debate, which Senator Abetz was so proud to lead on behalf of the Howard government. Oh, I remember the hours in here!

I am advised that Fair Work Building and Construction has extensive investigation and prosecution powers regarding breaches of industrial law, the capacity to use coercive powers and the capacity to seek imposition of significant penalties and the recovery of economic loss. In that context, I do not agree with the proposition in the question that Senator Abetz put to me about the abolition of the ABCC.