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

Thank you. In making the findings against the CFMEU yesterday and handing down the $2.4 million fine, regrettably, Justice Flick stated that it was unlikely that the CFMEU would take any notice of the penalties handed down against them.

Senator Ian Macdonald interjecting—

In fact, Senator Macdonald, Justice Flick said that it was unlikely that deterrents could be achieved by the imposition of penalties comparable to those that have been imposed in the past. He said:

Such penalties have proven to be ineffectual.

Maybe the penalties are ineffectual because those on the other side never condemn the behaviour. Those on the other side only ever come into this place and defend the CFMEU for all of their unlawful conduct. Those on the other side are part of the Australian Labor Party, the political party in this country that happily puts its hands out and says, 'Let the rivers of gold run to us.' (Time expired)