Michael Ronaldson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I again thank Senator Williams. Yes, there are threats, and it is those opposite and it is the Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten. They are opposed to our amendments to the EPBC Act, opposed to amendments that would have guaranteed jobs in regional and rural Australia, would have guaranteed the jobs of the workers that those opposite ostensibly support. They want a carbon tax to drive up electricity prices. They want the bullying and the intimidation in the construction industry to continue. They are on the side of the wreckers, not the builders. They are on the side of the radicals, not on the side of Australian workers. What has happened to this group of people? You have now given new meaning to Paul Keating's description that we are all so aware of. You start protecting workers. You work with us to protect an industry that is absolutely vital to this nation and its families and its workers. (Time expired)