The Opposition has posed it’s second CFMMEU-related question today, in light of the government’s proposed abolition of the Australian Building and Construction Commission.
Peter Dutton says the construction union has donated $10 million to the ALP. Yesterday the figure was $5 million over three years.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra on Wednesday 27 July 2022.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
“The watchdog has had a 91 per cent success rate in court, prosecuted over 2,500 contraventions, secured over $16 million in penalties and recovered $5 million in wages for over 8,000 workers,” Dutton said.
“Prime Minister, we understand that the $10 million paid to the Labor Party by the CFMEU has resulted in policy change. What else do they get for their $10 million?”
The Prime Minister replied: “If there weren’t unions in the construction industry, the number of deaths on work sites would increase. The number of injuries on work sites would increase. I have been in this place for 26 years and not once have I heard any Coalition member speak about safety on construction sites. Not once. Not once.
“Not once have I seen a criticism of employees who, when left undefended, without the protection of unions ... Not once. Not once. All workers should be subject to the same laws and regulations as others. That is the simple principle that we on this side hold.
“The ABCC has not done anything to improve workplace safety. It doesn’t do anything to guard against wage theft that we will make a crime by the way.”