RAIL, TRAIN AND BUS UNION

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite—Leader of the Opposition) (14:35): My question is to the Minister for Transport. Can he confirm whether enterprise bargaining negotiations have broken down between TransAdelaide and the Rail, Tram and Bus Union, and is the union preparing for industrial action?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P.F. CONLON (Elder—Minister for Transport, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister for Energy) (14:35): I spoke to the secretary of the union just a short while ago—and I will go to some length to explain how the system works—who explained to me, as I have explained to others today, that what he is doing is obeying the ordinary strictures of John Howard's WorkChoices law, that is, the rules imposed on him by John Howard's WorkChoices laws—exactly what he said, just repeating it to you.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: Well, there you go, I thought they were in the federal commission today. But perhaps I am wrong about that. That is what has been told to me today. Can I say that we expect trade unions to obey the law. That is what we expect. We expect, if they wish to engage in enterprise bargaining, according to the law, they do do it according to the law. So, not in the least bit surprised to be there today. But I draw that in stark contrast to the urgings last week by the shadow minister for transport for them to engage in an illegal strike.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: He says it is all rubbish, but here is what the Rail, Tram and Bus Industry Union (not Rail, Train and Bus Industry Union, as you put out in your press release) said last week—and you know this is what they said. They said:

The RTBU is outraged that opposition transport spokesman, Duncan McFetridge, has tried to convince our members to flout the federal Liberal government's IR laws, urging tram workers to undertake illegal strike action.

We were stunned to receive an email from him urging us to break laws enacted by his federal masters. We were further amazed that he was prepared to urge our members to risk huge fines and possible gaol terms for breaching laws enacted by his party federally.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: He did say the Liberals clearly haven't got a clue, and I tend to agree with him.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: No, it was written by the Rail and Tram Union, and it was in response—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: Just to make it clear: he said, 'Did I write it for them?', but, funny, a few days ago he wasn't suggesting that; he was suggesting that they are his great mates, because here is his email and he said, 'Hi Ashley,' and he said:

To allow the driver to cop the flak is not what I would have expected. I am surprised you have not called your members out until Conlon apologises.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: He not only sent that to his mate Ashley, he also went down and handed out copies to individual members of the union. So, I have to say that, while we do not agree with John Howard's work laws, we do expect unions to abide by the law. Can I say that I am much less concerned by the union following the law in the Industrial Commission than I am by shadow ministers urging the union to break the law for shallow political reasons.