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

The legislation before the Senate, the Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Bill 2013 [No. 2] and Building and Construction Industry (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2013 [No. 2], is vital if we are to stamp out corruption in the construction sector. I have heard some arguments advanced during this debate, and I simply say to those honourable senators: think about the Keep Australia Beautiful campaign. Just imagine if people were to say, 'I will not participate in Keep Australia Beautiful because we are not going to pick up every piece of litter in Australia, and therefore, because we do not pick up every piece of litter in Australia, it is not an exercise worthy of my involvement.' It is the same with corruption—if you want corruption overall to be dealt with, I can understand that, but this is one step in the right direction, and to say that you will not help stamp out corruption in the construction sector because you want it stamped out everywhere is not an argument at all.