[Greens-Media] Senate Inquiry report supports end of ABCC

[Norton, Tim (Sen R. Siewert)]

Senate Inquiry report supports end of ABCC
Friday 28th November 2008

The Australian Greens today renewed calls for the abolition of the
Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC), following the
release of the Senate Inquiry report into the Greens' Building and
Construction Industry (Restoring Workplace Rights) Bill.

"The ABCC represents the Howard Government's Work Choices agenda at its
most extreme, and yet the Rudd Government has dragged its heels in
addressing these injustices," said Senator Rachel Siewert today.

"I am disappointed that, after agreeing with many of the Greens'
concerns, the Government Senators have not supported urgently repealing
this legislation. Evidence to the Inquiry confirmed that the ABCC is
fundamentally flawed, breaches the rights of workers this particular
industry, and is grossly unfair."

"It is unacceptable to have workplace relations laws that take away the
right to silence, deny people their choice of lawyer, provide powers to
compel evidence with the possibility of gaol for non-compliance, and
impose severe restrictions on the rights of workers to organise and
bargain collectively."

"There is no justification to continue this discrimination against
building workers. The building industry must be regulated just like any
other industry - in a fair and just manner that balances the needs of
productivity and the economy with the health, safety and democratic
rights of workers."

"I would expect better from an ALP Government who purport to stand up
for working families. It is now up to the Government to act in the best
interests of the Australian people, and support the Greens' Bill to
abolish the ABCC," she concluded.

For more information or media enquiries please call Tim Norton on 0418
401 180