David Bushby (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Senator Ludwig. I refer to reports that Dean Mighell, boss of the ETU, a significant donor to the Australian Labor Party and to the Australian Greens, is the subject of an internal audit for the sale of the majority stake in an ETU financial advisory firm for a 10th of its value, a potential loss of half a million dollars of union members' funds? And further, that statements made by Mr Mighell that the ETU continue to receive funds have been contradicted by Mr Tony Devlin who took full control of Southern Alliance Financial Services? Is Fair Work Australia investigating these matters to ensure that union members' funds are not being misspent and, if not, why not?

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Bushby for his question. In terms of the Victorian Electrical Trades Union allegations, under this government the regulation of registered organisations and financial service providers has never been stronger. We have recently amended the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act to require that officers must disclose material personal interest in a matter that relates to the affairs of their organisational branch and that obligation extends to the officer or a relative of the officer. Organisations and branches must disclose this information to members. We have introduced tough new laws to tackle conflict of interest in financial planning and superannuation. Changes made also require organisations and branches to disclose payments that have been made to related parties of the organisation or branches and other persons or bodies. A 'related body' is defined to include entities that are controlled by organisations or officials of the organisations.

Trade unions are overwhelmingly professional and democratic and they represent the interests of members in a highly effective way. Australia has had a long and free independent trade union movement that is representative of and accountable to its members. Trade unions are overwhelmingly, as I said, professional, democratic and highly effective.

The CEPU has advised Fair Work Australia of Federal Court proceedings and FWA is monitoring—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senator Abetz, on a point of order?

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question was about the ETU—

Senator Kim Carr interjecting—

and the question was whether or not Fair Work Australia was investigating the matter to which Senator Bushby referred in his question.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is a broad question.

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is not a broad question at all, Mr President.

The PRESIDENT: I am listening closely to the answer, Senator Abetz. I do not believe there is a point of order at this stage.

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What I was going to go on to say before Senator Abetz provided his lack of knowledge across industrial relations is that FWA is independent of government and the Libs should understand that by now. (Time expired)

David Bushby (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. I refer to reports that bosses of the Australian Maritime Union, which is affiliated with and a major donor for the Labor Party, are hindering police and government efforts to clean up the ports following allegations of rampant corruption, crime, gangs, armed smuggling and drugs. Is Fair Work Australia investigating these matters as possible contraventions of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act?

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for his ongoing interest in industrial relations. Dealing with news reports today concerning allegations—perhaps it is worth while finalising the Victorian ETU matter—are the subject of Federal Court proceedings. This government is on the side of accountability for representative organisations. We have proposed and have moved the Fair Work Act to deal with that. If there are allegations of impropriety then they should be reported to the relevant body so they can be investigated. If the senator has information that is relevant then he should refer the matter; he should not sit on it and use it in question time. I am confident that Fair Work Australia, as an independent body, will independently investigate matters that, if you say are true, can be raised and put to it. (Time expired)

David Bushby (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I have a further supplementary question. I note the minister and his answer to the primary question mentioned the CEPU, so I refer to concerns about the bosses of the CEPU, also a Labor donor, engaging in unauthorised rule changes, a huge budget deficit and money being spent on private motor vehicles and other things. Is Fair Work Australia investigating these matters as possible contraventions of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act? In relation to all of these matters, will Fair Work Australia be as speedy as they were with their investigation into the Health Services Union!

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for his question. As I was saying, if he does have evidence of the serious allegations that he raises he should provide them to the relevant authority. I am confident that Fair Work Australia, according to its charter, will investigate all those matters, if they have substance and are brought to their attention.

I will ask Minister Shorten if there are further matters that he wishes to respond to on the second supplementary question.