United Workers Union

The Hon. J.S. LEE (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:34): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector about the United Workers Union.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S. LEE: On 23 November 2024, The Weekend Australian reported that Adero Law has flagged a potential complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission in relation to claims from more than a dozen current and former staff of the United Workers Union who experienced discrimination during their time in the union.

The law firm says that concerns included retaliation towards Indigenous people who did not want to campaign on last year's Voice referendum. The Weekend Australian reported that there were a dozen individuals who claimed to have been discriminated against on the basis of political opinion, including Indigenous people who did not support the Voice campaign for personal reasons. My questions to the minister are:

1. Is he aware of any South Australian United Workers Union staff who have been discriminated against on the basis of their political opinions?

2. Is he aware that union workers have allegedly been forced to support Labor Party political campaigns, including the Voice referendum?

3. Will the government condemn the United Workers Union and any other union that is found to have discriminated against staff on the basis of political opinion or participated in political campaigns?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:36): I am certainly not aware of any incidences, as the honourable member outlines, in South Australia with the United Workers Union (UWU). What I am aware of is the strong and fierce advocacy the United Workers Union South Australia has provided for First Nations people. In fact, I have had a number of meetings with the United Workers Union First Nations representatives in caucus to specifically advocate for issues that affect First Nations people. I think I have a request for another meeting with the United Workers Union's First Nations delegates caucus to continue those discussions.

I am very, very pleased at how the United Workers Union in South Australia diligently represent so many First Nations people, people in the workforce who are often the most marginalised and discriminated against. I will very proudly continue to meet with the United Workers Union as they advocate for their First Nations members. Many of the United Workers Union members are some of the lowest paid workers in our society and in our economy and, as I said, I will very willingly continue to meet with the United Workers Union representatives in South Australia, who very ably put forward the concerns of First Nations workers.