The Turnbull Government have set the wheels in motion for debates on two key industrial relations bills that will curtail unregulated spending and increase transparency for unions and employer associations.
After hedging their bets about the likelihood of two key industrial relations bills getting passed before Christmas, the Turnbull Government has switched to hard push tactics to move things along.
These are the very bills rejected by the senate in April, which Turnbull used as triggers for the 2 July double dissolution election. Their return serves as a clear sign that the Government is optimistic about their passage before the final sitting of the year. At this stage, the bills are set to be debated next Monday and Tuesday, with the Government indicating that they’re confident they have the support of several crossbenchers from One Nation, the Nick Xenophon Team and Liberal Democrats to get the industrial relations reform bills across the line.
For those of us who require a brush-up on our public policy: the two bills are the Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Bill 2013 and the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment Bill 2014. Both are geared to further strengthen regulations across bodies that represent and protect workers across Australia, including a move to restore the Australian Building and Construction Commission and toughen union governance.
The Registered Organisations Commission, for example, will impose tougher standards on unions and employer associations, create a new regulator, and increase the penalties for leaders who breach their duties.
Workplace Relations Minister Michaelia Cash has stated that registered organisations with annual revenue of $1.5 billion, assets of $2.5 billion, plus tax-exempt status should be required to be “accountable and transparent.”
“The two million Australians who entrust their money to their union or employer group deserve to know that it is being run honestly and in their best interests,” she said. “The need to strengthen accountability and improve governance is clear. It should be supported by anyone who truly cares for the health of Australian unions and employer organisations.”
As for the reasons behind the push: the Government are acting on the findings and evidence heard by the Heydon Royal Commission, using it as an argument to win support from crossbenchers.
Case studies include that of two TWU officials in WA who allegedly spent more than $300,000 on luxury utes, and officials of the NUW’s NSW branch who spent members’ funds on dating websites, sports tickets, toys and holidays.
Also being brought to the crossbenchers’ attention is the case of a labour hire company paid $40,000 in wages for a staffer to work on Shorten’s campaign to win the federal seat of Maribyrnong at the 2007 federal election.
Earlier this year Prime Minister Turnbull described corruption within the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union as “one of the great scandals” and “one of the great handbrakes on economic development around Australia.” Though the passing of these bills would represent a big win for the Prime Minister to cap off a year thin on policy achievements, it’s also an indication that Turnbull is committed to acting on legislation he has adamantly argued for.