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Abbott's hypocrisy knows no bounds
Date: 04 August 2001
Comments by Workplace Relations Minister, Tony Abbott, that workers engaged in industrial action at TriStar Steering and Suspension are guilty of "treason" clearly show the hypocrisy of the Howard Government, Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, Arch Bevis, said today.
"Tony Abbott's ill considered and inflammatory comments demonstrate the hypocrisy which is at the heart of the way that the Howard Government has conducted industrial relations since being elected.
"This government insists on becoming a combatant in any industrial dispute and always against the workers. Since the election of the Howard Government we have seen some of the most bitter and divisive industrial disputes in Australia's history.
"Pakenham in Victoria witnessed the longest lockout since the 1930's - a nine-month lockout described by Justice Spender of the Federal Court as a "baseball bat lockout". In another example of the aggressive approach to industrial relations adopted by employers under the Howard industrial laws, ACI locked out its workers at Box Hill in Victoria for five months starting on Christmas Eve 1999.
"It is worth noting that there was not one word of criticism from any minister in the Howard government of either of these lockouts, in fact Peter Reith, in the Pakenham-Berwick Gazette, has publicly endorsed the tactics used at the G&K O'Connor meatworks;
'Former Federal Minister for Workplace Relations and Flinders MP Peter Reith said he had no objections to G&K O'Connor Export Abattoir locking out 334 workers last year.
... Mr Reith said he supported O'Connor's actions and the moves taken by the company to de-unionise its workforce.'
"For several months I have been asking the question 'does anyone doubt what would have happened if unions had taken that sort of action?' A five day strike let alone a five month strike would have seen this government screaming for the blood of unions - we can see that my prediction has been proved correct by the comments from Tony Abbott.
"Labor is committed to putting in place laws that are balanced and fair, and that in cases of intractable disputes, provide a strong and independent umpire with the necessary powers to resolve and prevent disputes. In particular where a party in a dispute fails to negotiate in good faith the community has a right to intervene through the operation of a strong and independent commission.
"The Howard government's model of bargaining, without an umpire and with no requirement for parties to negotiate in good faith is the worst of all worlds and that is exactly what we see in the current dispute," said Mr Bevis.
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