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

The government welcomes the ACCC's decision to commence legal proceedings against the CFMEU in respect of its long-running secondary boycott against Boral. According to the ACCC, the CFMEU instructed shop stewards to ban the use of Boral concrete at commercial construction sites in metropolitan Melbourne. Shop stewards then allegedly told Boral customers that on certain commercial construction sites Boral concrete was not permitted.

Last Friday the ACCC also announced it had commenced proceedings against the union's state secretary, John Setka, and his assistant Shaun Reardon for attempting to induce Boral to not supply concrete to Grocon as well, engaging in undue harassment and coercion. Mr Setka reportedly told Boral management: 'All wars end and once peace is established the CFMEU will be at the table to divide up the spoils. The CFMEU will decide who gets what and what market share Boral will get.'

These are just some of the ugly tactics that have been outlined in the material by the ACCC. Regrettably, in the light of these revelations, we get nothing but deathly silence from the Australian Labor Party. It is simply unacceptable that such alleged threats can be made, such actions can be taken and such ugliness endorsed by those opposite and in the Victorian Labor Party by their silence. These proceedings have had to overcome a sordid culture of secrecy. The ACCC is to be congratulated. I trust that the matter will come to an expeditious resolution.