The ACTU’s so-called consideration of the alleged independent review of union governance was a predictable flop according to the Opposition.
“When you have a handpicked reviewer making voluntary recommendations, you’ve got to wonder if it was something prepared in anticipation of the Melbourne Comedy Festival,” Senator Abetz said today.
“Today’s Essential Report on the Greens’ vote confirms the public believes their policies are too extreme, even after they dumped their specific policy measures in favour of general ‘principles’ and ‘aims’.”
“52% of those surveyed think that the Greens policies are too extreme, up from 47% in November.”
“The fact that firebrand unionist Dean Mighell has stepped up to support Bill Shorten’s ill-advised endorsement of a conference celebrating union militancy two days ago highlights how partisan the Minister and the Government have become,” Senator Abetz said today.
“Mighell’s support may also help explain the Minister’s paralysis in the face of shady money deals by Union bosses and their failure to disclose.”
In the latest example of Mr Shorten acting as an ex-union boss first and a Minister last, he will tomorrow officially open the MUA’s conference titled “140 years of militant struggle”, which “bringstogether representatives from some of the most successful and militant trade unions from around Australia and the world.”
“After recording an 8 year record high in strikes around Australia and witnessing the worst elements of militant unionists involved in the Grocon, Abigroup, Little Creatures and City West Water disputes, Mr Shorten is embracing militant union bosses and opening their conference,” Senator Abetz said today.
Last week the Greens cited Labor's mishandling of the mining tax as grounds for breaking their agreement with Labor, but today that was shown to be a sham divorce.
Despite their public condemnation last week of Labor's handling of the mining tax - today the Greens sided with Labor and refused to support a motion of no confidence in the Government's handling of the mining tax in the Senate.
“Senator Milne’s diatribe at the National Press Club today adds to the chaos surrounding this Government, but in reality nothing has changed,” Senator Abetz said today.
“The dysfunction of the Labor-Greens Alliance is once again apparent for all to see.”
NBN’s caffeine fix is no network fix
NBN Co admitted that it purchased 31 coffee machines for its office staff at a cost of $164,188 and spent almost $4,000 per month on coffee beans.
The second day of Senate Estimates has revealed even more Labor waste and mismanagement.
Yesterday’s announcement by Bill Shorten with much fanfare that the Fair Work Commission would now take and arbitrate complaints of bullying has been quashed by the Fair Work Commission today.
In Senate Estimates, the Fair Work Commission advised that they have already told the Department of Finance that they could not afford these additional responsibilities without significant additional financial support. Fair Work President Iain Ross also noted that the Commission’s bench was close to capacity with the current case-load.
The Coalition has tabled a disallowance motion in an effort to stop Labor further weakening the Building Code.
Mr Shorten signed into law the new Building Code without any consultation in an effort to override State Government codes which seek to stamp out illegality, thuggery, bullying and intimidation in the industry.
The first day of Senate Estimates has again revealed an extraordinary litany of Labor waste and mismanagement.
Eric Abetz has been a Liberal Senator for Tasmania since 1994 and has served in a range of Leadership, Ministerial and Shadow Ministerial roles.