The cross bench in the lower house joined with the Australian Labor Party to oppose the Turnbull Government’s anti-worker, anti-democratic “Ensuring Integrity” bill.
The ACTU thanks members Adam Bandt, Rebekha Sharkie, Cathy McGowan, Andrew Wilkie and Bob Katter for voting against the bill, which would give the government of the day and members of the business community the power to decide who can stand for election as union leaders, which unions can merge, and even the power to disband unions entirely. Across the board, this bill imposes harsher penalties and more regulation on unions than corporations are subject to.
The campaign to stop this attack on Australian democracy now moves to the senate, and Australian unions are mobilising all available campaign resources to protect the rights of our members to decide who leads their unions, and how those unions are run.
Quotes attributable to ACTU President Ged Kearney:
“This bill is an attack on the rights of every working person in Australia. It goes against international law, and the proud traditions of Australian democracy.”
“We thank the members who voted with the working people of Australia, and opposed the incursion of the federal government into the affairs of unions, which should always be run by workers.”
“The campaign to stop this bill is critical to protecting the rights of all working people, and to changing the rules at work. Without strong, independent unions, working people will be left even more vulnerable.”
“The Turnbull Government’s attacks on unions and workers must end.”
ENDS
