What we learned: Monday 19 August
This is where we’ll wrap up the blog for today – but first, a quick recap:
Labor has struck a deal with the Coalition to pass the CFMEU administration legislation, with workplace relations minister Murray Watt saying the legislation will be the strongest action a government has ever taken against a union or an employer in Australia’s history. He said it would see the union “get back to focusing on the best interests of its members”.
The Greens called the deal struck between Labor and Liberals to pass the government’s “deeply flawed” CFMEU administration legislation “an unprecedented attack on the rule of law”.
The CFMEU said the legislation undermines the “democratic rights of our members to control their own future and impinges on the principles of procedural fairness and natural justice”.
The defence minister Richard Marles announced a defence export deal between America, UK and Australia, saying “it will open the door for more Australian companies to participate in the American defence supply chain”.
The Greens senator, Mehreen Faruqi, asked why the Labor government won’t use the “R-word” – racism – after Peter Dutton called for a visa ban on Palestinians fleeing Gaza.
Teal MP Zali Steggall has hit back against Peter Dutton, branding his comments “outrageous bullying” and describing the demonisation of refugees a “true and tried dog whistle”.
Senior party figure, Jeremy Buxton, told the court in Linda Reynolds’ defamation trial against Brittany Higgins that Reynolds would have been unlikely to win top spots on a Liberal election ticket because of her handling of Higgins’ alleged rape and accusations it was covered up.
The independent MP Helen Haines on Monday questioned the integrity and transparency of Labor’s Future Made in Australia legislation. There is $22.7bn attached to the legislation, but Haines says there are not enough guardrails around the fund to protect its integrity.
Indonesia’s president-elect Prabowo Subianto is in Australia today, for a whirlwind one day visit.
Nationals leader David Littleproud has taken aim at the Albanese government’s response to a Senate inquiry into fire ants, accusing Labor of not taking the threat of the highly invasive species seriously.
Artificial intelligence is threatening human-made music and musicians’ income, the peak music rights’ organisation Apra Amcos says.
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CFMEU hits back at Labor-Coalition deal
The CFMEU has released a statement after the deal Labor struck with the Coalition, saying it undermines the “democratic rights of our members to control their own future and impinges on the principles of procedural fairness and natural justice”.
The union continued:
This decision is a sad indictment on the Government, and all sides of politics, which have succumbed to the anti-CFMEU rhetoric spouted by big business and amplified by conservative media outlets.
The allegations put by the media are very concerning and have been taken seriously by the union, with an independent investigation already launched, a governance review commissioned and individuals either removed from the union or stood down pending the investigation.
These allegations remain exactly that – allegations – completely untested in the legal system.
The media have a right to expose issues, but they are not a court and, until allegations have been tested by the legal system, people and organisations are entitled to a fair process.
The deal cut by Labor and the Coalition is as shameful as it is unnecessary – an act of political expediency at the expense of fundamental tenants [sic] of Australian democracy and our legal system.
It also fails to address the real issues of criminality and corruption that affect all of us in the industry instead targeting the union. In doing so, these laws increase the danger faced by construction workers, leaving them exposed to the criminality and corruption the laws purport to stamp out.
The CFMEU has been steadfastly focussed on getting an outcome that is in the best interests of our members. A forced administration through this legislation, devoid of real consultation with construction workers and isolated from their elected representatives, does not achieve this.
All Australian workers have benefited from our Union’s steadfast and resolute commitment to workers’ safety, economic justice and job security. Despite today’s outcome, we will continue to work for our members best interests.
The CFMEU will emerge from this process stronger than ever.
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