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

I thank Senator Paterson for his question. It is a fact that Australia and Australians simply cannot afford the lawlessness which we continue to see in the building and construction sector. It is the third-largest industry in Australia, and we must do everything we can to ensure that it continues to prosper and grow. Across Australia there are approximately one million Australians who are employed in this vital industry, the building and construction sector. But for them to do their jobs effectively, we as policy makers need to ensure that their work environment is a cooperative and productive one.

It is a fact borne out by Federal Court decision after Federal Court decision that when you go to work in the building and construction industry it would appear that the rule of law does not apply. Why is it that when any other Australian goes to work on a daily basis they have to comply with the rule of law that applies in their workplace, and if they do not they know that there are consequences for doing that? There are approximately 300,000 small businesses in this vital industry. They need a system. They need policy makers in this place to ensure that they have a system that is free from bullying and standover tactics that they are currently subjected to.

I am also concerned that the CFMEU's toxic culture is turning away females from this industry. It is a fact that women make up just 11 per cent of construction industry workers—a percentage that has declined over the last 30 years.