Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Women) Share this | Hansard source

Re-establishing the ABCC is about introducing meaningful consequences for unlawful conduct in the building and construction industry, whether this conduct is undertaken by an employer or a union in the construction sector. In terms of the Cole royal commission, almost a decade ago now, and now the Heydon royal commission, both support the need for a separate specialist building regulator to ensure that workplace laws, laws that all Australians need to abide by, are actually abided by in that particular sector.

There are currently 73 CFMEU representatives before the courts around Australia. That is a staggering statistic. Flagrant breaches of workplace laws on such a scale are quite frankly unacceptable. It is a sad day when those on the other side are continuing to stand for unlawful behaviour in the construction sector, as opposed to standing, alongside those on this side of the chamber, for lawful behaviour. (Time expired)