Andrew Bragg (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Home Ownership) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Housing, Senator Gallagher. In an extraordinary move, the Albanese government has today reneged on an agreement to refer the Housing Investment Probity Bill, a bill designed to protect taxpayer funds invested in the Housing Australia Future Fund from union corruption, to a Senate inquiry. The disgraced CFMEU has three members on the Cbus board, which has funnelled money back to the CFMEU, who have ultimately given more than $6 million to Labor. Minister, are the cosy ties between Cbus, the CFMEU and Labor the reason for the government opposing probity, transparency or safeguards to protect taxpayers and superannuation investors?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think earlier this morning we sought to defer consideration of the referral of that bill, so that is a matter that will remain before the Selection of Bills Committee. In relation to the Housing Australia Future Fund, I can advise the Senate that applications for that fund have been overwhelmingly positive. It is something that the housing sector more broadly is responding to and is putting in applications for. I think those opposite that voted against the HAFF are pretty much the only people in Australia who think the HAFF is a bad idea. We have many projects that are being considered through the appropriate processes now in terms of those applications.

In terms of the CFMEU, as you know, Senator Bragg, we've taken the strongest action possible to clean up the CFMEU. You've been part of that debate this week. We've passed legislation to give the minister the power to put the construction division of the CFMEU under the control of an administrator and we have made it clear that there is no place for criminality, corruption, thuggery, bullying or intimidation in any workplace in Australia. That's why we brought the legislation on to fix it.

Senator Bragg, you would also know that there are requirements on superannuation funds to comply with strict governance standards and to act in the best financial interests of members. But I'm sure Senator Bragg welcomes the fact that the HAFF has been oversubscribed with loads of applications, hundreds of applications, which are seeking to build over 50,000 dwellings.

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

Senator Bragg, first supplementary?

Andrew Bragg (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Home Ownership) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There are allegations that Cbus and the CFMEU are using Cbus property to strongarm and delay projects across the country. For example, projects in Western Sydney have been delayed as members of the Cbus affiliate the ETU, or Electrical Trades Union, refuse to turn up on site to connect to or disconnect from the grid. Why does the government defend unions and union controlled super funds when they are crippling productivity in the construction sector?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I don't accept the assertions that Senator Bragg has included in his question. I would say that I would have more faith in APRA, the regulator, to examine any concerns there may be about any particular superannuation group than in Senator Bragg. APRA have already announced the steps that they are taking. They are the regulator. They have the authority to ensure that superannuation funds, whether it be Cbus or others, are acting in the best financial interests of their members.

We know that Senator Bragg has an ideological obsession and hatred of industry super funds in particular, and I think these matters would be best left to APRA to work through their processes. (Time expired)

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

Senator Bragg, second supplementary?

Andrew Bragg (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Home Ownership) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government's protection racket doesn't just wreck Labor's integrity; it is also wrecking the construction sector and making this housing crisis so much worse. In just two weeks, Labor's new Minister for Housing, Ms O'Neil, has accomplished the unthinkable: she's made Labor's creditability on housing even worse. Minister, how could the Australian people ever trust this government with the housing crisis?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Again, that question reflects most poorly on you, Senator Bragg. The Minister for Housing is an extraordinarily capable minister. She has hit the ground running in that portfolio, and I imagine that concerns Senator Bragg. She is out there examining how we can ensure that all of our policies are implemented: the $32 billion that we are putting in place and all of the measures that you have blocked in this place and have sought to delay and frustrate. Then you have the nerve to come in here and complain about housing.

You didn't care about housing when you were in government—10 years of ignoring housing. We've come in and, in two years, done more to shift the dial in terms of Commonwealth involvement in housing than any government before us has. We will continue to do that, and no doubt you will continue to block. (Time expired)