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

Quite simply, because the kind of behaviour I have just highlighted shows that there is a culture of what is now silence in the industry for fear of retribution. Labor's own hand-picked reviewer of the ABCC, Murray Wilcox QC, himself came to the conclusion that compulsory information-gathering powers were essential. Mr Wilcox also said that he himself could not recommend getting rid of the compulsory powers because to get rid of them 'would not be a responsible course'. He went on to say:

The reality is that, without such a power, some types of contravention would be almost impossible to prove.

The culture of fear and intimidation in the building and construction sector is there for all to see and is clear evidence as to why these powers are required.