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

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, upon notice, on 15 August 2012:

With reference to the illegal picket line at the Coles Distribution Centre in Melbourne, managed by Toll, that was subject to a Federal Court injunction:

(1)   Did the Minister or Minister’s office speak to any of the union bosses involved in the picket line in relation to the unprotected action; if so:

(a) which union bosses;

(b) when; and

(c) what was the content of the conversations.

(2)   Has the Minister expressed any:

(a) concerns and/or;

(b) support, publically or directly to union bosses, in regard to the unprotected action; if so, when.

(3)   Did the Minister support the unprotected action.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

(1)   The Minister discussed the dispute privately with representatives of both sides and encouraged them to seek the assistance of Fair Work Australia to resolve the dispute.

(2)   The Minister does not support contraventions of the Fair Work legislation, or the law more generally, by unions, employers or any other parties.

(3)   No.