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

I have some further information in relation to the question asked of me by Senator Wong. I can indicate that the ASC has denied union claims that workers at its Osborne shipbuilding base were sacked by text messages. I am informed that ASC have tried to ensure that out of the four contractors this did not occur. Three of them have already responded to the ASC confirming that they notified their employees verbally and the fourth one is still to respond. I can also indicate that the honourable gentleman in the other place who raised this matter has admitted that he had not personally seen any of the text messages but had been told by union members.