Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

Labor's decision yesterday to oppose better governance arrangements for trade unions by voting down the registered organisations commission sadly confirms what everyone already suspected: Labor is not the party of honest trade union members but the protector of dodgy union bosses. Senators opposite need to explain why a union official should be liable for a fine of only $10,200 when, for the same corrupt behaviour by a company director, that director would be liable for five years imprisonment or fines of $320,000. But at least in this regard Labor is consistent, because Labor is the party of Craig Thomson and Michael Williamson, whose senators voted down motions condemning their actions. So it begs the question: if Labor cannot condemn corruption, why would they seek to stop it?

Mr Shorten talks about modernising the Australian Labor Party, and I simply say to him: You cannot modernise the Labor Party without modernising the trade union movement. And I have no doubt that tonight Mr Shorten will be exactly the same as he is on this matter. He will refuse to identify the problem. He will refuse to acknowledge that there is a problem. He will say one thing about economic responsibility but then keep voting in this place to deny economic responsibility being implemented. That is the stark contrast in what Mr Shorten says, be it on unionism and the Labor Party or on economic fiscal responsibility. He will say one thing for the interviews and then do the exact opposite in this parliament by voting down good policy for the future of our country.

Senator Lines interjecting—