Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Yesterday the Senate passed legislation, which the opposition voted for and fully supports, that will enable the most vulnerable female textile workers, in particular, to demerge from the militant, bullying, thuggish and dysfunctional CFMEU. But in February your government voted against an amendment by Senator Lambie that proposed almost identical legislation. Minister, why did it take the outrageous, bullying demands of CFMEU boss John Setka against the AFL for your government to finally introduce this legislation?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Cash. First, I know that Senator Cash wants to make a suggestion about Mr Setka.

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Sorry. No, I'm just trying to maintain focus.

Honourable senators interjecting—

I'm happy for the clock to be reset. No, it's not that. I was responding to the interjections from behind. I was trying to maintain focus.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would ask all senators to listen in silence.

Senator Cash, I've just asked for silence.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Well, I worked for the Furnishing Division of the CFMEU, and I helped organise many workers in the textile sector.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Then why didn't you support this in February?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Senator Cash, you're not in a dialogue with the minister. You've asked your question. It's now your opportunity to listen in silence, and that's what I've asked you to do.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

First, in relation to Mr Setka, I would make two points. Those opposite might talk a lot about it, but it was this Prime Minister who ensured one of the first things he did as leader of our party was to expel John Setka from the party.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Minister, please continue.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

One of the first things Mr Albanese did as Labor leader was to expel Mr Setka.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

And then abolish the ABCC for Mr Setka.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Cash and Senator McKenzie, you are both being incredibly disrespectful. Senator Cash, you've asked your question. Listen in silence.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

One of the first things that occurred when Mr Albanese took the leadership of the Labor Party was the expulsion of Mr Setka from the Labor Party. You might recall Mr Setka did take the Prime Minister—or the Labor leader—and, in fact, the entire national executive to court over the expulsion, and it was the—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Cash, order! Minister, please continue.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It was the right decision. The demerger legislation will allow members of the Manufacturing Division—and I have been a part of that union—to determine their own course, free from distractions which have nothing to do with the core business of unions. I know that Senator Cash wishes to prosecute this because she is very anti union, and I think she's proud to say it. But we are not. What we want— (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Cash, first supplementary?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Will the Prime Minister unequivocally condemn CFMEU leader John Setka for the bullying threats he made to disrupt AFL infrastructure projects if they do not sack their head of umpiring, Stephen McBurney? What action is the government taking to ensure the CFMEU cannot and does not act on this threat?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have two points. I think the Prime Minister has already made his views clear on this, as has—

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

He was. John Setka told him to stay out of it, and he did.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Cash, I don't know what more I can say to request you to be silent. You are being incredibly disrespectful towards me in my role as the President. I've called you to order a number of times, and you've completely ignored that. I'm asking you to listen in silence.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would say that the Prime Minister has made his views on that clear. The Prime Minister has also made his views on Mr Setka's behaviour more broadly very clear by his actions. The minister has made the government's view on this clear. I know Senator Cash desperately wants to use this in order to prosecute an anti-union agenda. We on this side know that Mr Setka does not represent the heart and soul of the trade union movement.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Cash, second supplementary.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Does the Prime Minister agree that neither the Labor Party nor the Australian Greens, who even voted yesterday to protect CFMEU thugs rather than vulnerable textile workers, should accept donations from the CFMEU?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Well, my recollection—and it comes to reform of donations law—is that it is the Labor Party that has provided more transparency, has engaged in reform, which, as I recall—

Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Unilaterally.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, unilaterally. The minister reminds me that in fact we disclosed at a lower threshold than those opposite. And, as I recall, the cabinet of which you were a part, Senator Cash, did not wish to go down the path of more disclosure and transparency on electoral reform and campaign donations. So, we all understand what you're doing, Senator Cash. I was pleased that we saw that legislation pass yesterday. It is a good thing for workers. It is a good thing for the members of the manufacturing division. And, unlike you, we remain supporters of the trade union movement.