John Madigan (Victoria, Democratic Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Earlier this afternoon when Senator Ryan rose to speak about Senator Xenophon's amendment he spoke about unions and their funds, and the member's funds that are paid to unions by way of their membership fees. I think we need to clarify this: all people have a right to collective bargaining, Senator Ryan. What is the difference between members of the VFF or the NFF? That is collective bargaining. As are members of VECCI or the Australian Industry Group or the Real Estate Institute of Victoria, or whatever it may be.

As much as those people are entitled to collective representation, so are unionists, working people, allowed to have collective representation also. Picking up on your point that members' contributions to a union's funds are tax deductible, I think you will find that if you are a member of the AiG, VECCI, the VFF or the NFF, those contributions would also be tax deductible. So I think we have to be very careful as we erode the rights of one that we do not erode the rights of all, because these things set a precedent and precedents can come back to haunt people.

As far as Senator Xenophon's amendment goes, I support anything that offers transparency and accountability. I think any party, no matter who it is, no matter how large or small, should be prepared to disclose what donations they get, however large or small they are. On that basis I support Senator Xenophon's amendment.