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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2022-11-16 Daily Xml
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Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union

Mr COWDREY (Colton) (14:20): My question is to the Premier. Is the Premier aware whether any local construction businesses have experienced intimidation and pressure on their subcontractors from the CFMEU and, if so, can he provide an update to the house on any actions he has taken to deal with this? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr COWDREY: On 4 August, it was reported that John Setka had completed his takeover of the SA branch of the CFMEU. On 3 November, the Premier was asked whether he was aware that the CFMEU was escalating its campaign against local construction firms who will not sign up to CFMEU demands. He replied, and I quote, 'No, I'm not aware of these details.'

Since then, multiple additional reports have described thuggish and threatening behaviour by the CFMEU against local businesses here in South Australia. In addition, documents provided to the opposition via FOI confirmed that multiples of people have written directly to the Premier, outlining their disappointment with how the Premier has chosen to act towards the CFMEU.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Premier) (14:21): I thank the shadow treasurer for his question. It provides an opportunity to again reiterate the government's views and my views with respect to industrial relations more broadly. The member for Colton, being the recent student of economics that he is, would be well aware that across the nation we have a cost-of-living crisis. Prices are going up, which means working people, I think, like any other entity in this state, are turning their minds to the maintenance of their incomes in such a way that it doesn't go backwards in the context of a high inflationary environment. Each and every one of us on this side of the house firmly believes that the Australian trade union movement is the best vehicle that working people have to ensure the maintenance of their real wages.

I think this is well documented, it's fair to say, going back some time—well before my time of being fortunate enough to serve in this place—that I have an established view about the best way industrial relations should be conducted. I think working people are entitled to powerful, professional advocacy that is undertaken in a very civil manner, with productive engagement with employers, acknowledging that employers need a return on their capital but at the same time, simultaneously, that working people are entitled not just to a maintenance of their real wages but to fulfil their aspirations for wage growth and a better standard of living, particularly in a wealthy nation such as our own.

To that end, I say to the member for Colton that for as long as I have the opportunity to advocate for that type of industrial relations I will continue to do so. The member for Colton more specifically raises questions in respect of the CFMEU. I am on the record, repeatedly, making it clear that in some instances we have seen conduct in some elements of the trade union movement that do not accord with those principles that I just outlined. I have named the CFMEU in that context, particularly in the Victorian example.

But do not misinterpret my words and strong condemnation of that sort of behaviour in any way as being seen to take away anything from the rights of working people, in the construction industry or otherwise, to advocate for real wage growth, particularly in the current climate. This is why—and this is something on which the Leader of the Opposition and, in fact, all members of this place have an important voice—currently before the federal parliament there is the Secure Jobs, Better Pay bill that is being actively contemplated.

The Hon. J.A.W. Gardner interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Morialta is called to order.

Mr Cowdrey: What actions are you taking?

The SPEAKER: Member for Colton!

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: If the member for Morialta listens, they will well understand. That piece of legislation provides a legal framework for mandatory or compulsory arbitration to be allowed for under certain circumstances at the request of both the employees and the employer to use the independent umpire of the Fair Work Commission—an institution that both sides of politics should believe in—to utilise the independent umpire to intervene into bargaining disputes where that balance isn't best being achieved, the balance that I think everybody in this place should sign up to, although I understand that those opposite don't always agree with the role of the union movement.

Mr Cowdrey: Everything's fine in the construction industry. There are no issues.

The SPEAKER: The member for Colton is called to order.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: I would simply say to the member for Colton, along with the Leader of the Opposition, join me in advocating that the Senate pass that bill to have a mechanism for arbitration in this country that may—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: —see to better, more cordial industrial action in the current environment.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Colton is warned.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Colton will not stand and shout across the chamber. He is warned for a second time.

Mr Tarzia: Why?

The SPEAKER: Member for Hartley!

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