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

The trade union royal commission interim report raises serious concerns about the activities of certain trade union officials. The report recommends that authorities consider laying criminal charges against officials or former officials of the CFMEU, AWU and HSU. These potential charges relate to acts of intimidation and coercion, breaches of the Corporations Act, blackmail and fraud and to making false statements. Significantly, the report, like others before it, found a 'culture of wilful defiance of the law which appears to lie at the core of the CFMEU,' the union that the Leader of the Opposition so faithfully served.

The concerns raised by the report do not stop there. The report also refers to a confidential third volume, a volume that has not been made available to the public because of concerns of the royal commission for the safety and security of potential witnesses. The royal commissioners stated that the contents of this volume 'reveal grave threats to the power and authority of the Australian state.' The report also makes adverse comments and criticisms about the internal operations and financial dealings of officials of the TWU, AWU, HSU, CFMEU and ETU. These findings are very serious. In the government's view, the report's findings confirm the urgent need for legislation to eliminate union corruption and contempt for the rule of law and to ensure that there is a tough cop on the beat in the construction sector.

The vast bulk of union officials faithfully represent their membership. That is why I am delighted that many in the trade union movement support the government's legislation. (Time expired)