GOVERNMENT MUST RELEASE SECRET AMENDMENTS

The public has a right to know what changes Scott Morrison is making to his anti-worker union-bashing legislation.

After talks with the crossbench the Government says it is planning to amend its so-called “Ensuring Integrity” Bill in a bid to push it through the Senate before the end of the year.

But the Government is refusing to release those amendments so the public can see and scrutinise them before the Bill actually comes to a vote in the chamber.

The Liberals claim their secret amendments will fix this dangerous and extreme Bill.

Labor knows that’s not possible because this legislation is fundamentally wrong and unnecessary.

But if the Government is so confident, why won’t it come clean on its changes?

If the Government has nothing to hide why won’t it put these amendments in front of the Australian people?

Under the Government’s amendments, could union officials still face expulsion for minor paperwork breaches? Could entire unions still
face deregistration for taking minor industrial action to protect workers from harm?

Will the Bill still give vastly expanded powers to the Registered Organisations Commission, which just a few weeks ago was found by the Federal Court to have been acting unlawfully?

This Bill will be weaponised against unions and by extension workers who need a pay rise at a time of record-low wages growth. It will be used to hobble the very organisations that fight wage theft and worker exploitation, and ensure safer workplaces.

Labor will not support this legislation under any circumstances. We renew our call on the Senate crossbench to stand with Labor to protect workers’ rights, wages and conditions.

MONDAY, 18 NOVEMBER 2019