Lee Rhiannon (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

To return to the ABCC, Labor do not have a record to be proud of. It is interesting that Senator Cameron is here. Labor have so often been weak on industrial relations reform in this place. Some people here would remember sections 45D and 45E introduced in the Fraser years that removed the right to strike. Again Labor dragged the chain and never actually removed it when they came into power.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Yes, part of it was removed, but not all of it. This week they were voting to bring on the debate about the ABCC. They ran a huge scare campaign with the unions. The Greens could be responsible for bringing back the ABCC. What did they do? They voted with the crossbenchers to bring on the debate, despite everything.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Come on! It is very interesting how this debate is playing out. They are stepping up the attacks. Yes, periodically we work with the government.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Yes, because we are working with the government on legislation that will be better for Australia. That is a judgement—

Honourable senators interjecting—

You make those judgements. We are critical of your judgements when you do it. Right now we could be voting for this legislation and stepping up the campaign to defeat the Turnbull government, but that is not what you are doing. You are not stepping up. This debate illustrates how bankrupt it is for you. You are in retreat.

The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Senator Rhiannon, will you address your remarks to the chair please.

I am happy to, Chair. On this we are seeing Labor stepping up their attacks on the Greens and not developing the very necessary campaign to defeat the Turnbull government. The progressive movement should be united in achieving that. Certainly the Greens will continue to develop our work and it is time Labor shifted their own position.

From how this debate has played out and how Senator Wong has responded here and in some other speeches you start to get the impression that they are actually terrified of an election. That is really coming across. This debate illustrates it. There is a high level of dysfunction in Labor. Let us remember what your leader, Mr Shorten, said.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Chair?

The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! I remind the chamber that senators are entitled to be heard in silence. Senator Rhiannon, you have the call.

Thank you, Chair. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr Shorten, is not going to repeal this bill. I have not been able to find any comment from the new Special Minister of State on this very significant legislation that clearly comes under his portfolio. We have heard comments from the former Special Minister of State. We have comments from highly respected former senator Mr Faulkner and many other Labor people. So there is a division within Labor which drives the perception—maybe it is real—that there is a growing level of dysfunction within Labor and they are now getting more concerned about the coming election, an election that we on the progressive side should be able to win. We do need to get rid of the Turnbull government and we need these Senate voting reforms.