Commonwealth pre-empts RC

Date: 07 August 2002

CFMEU Construction Division National Secretary John Sutton said the Commonwealth submission to the Royal Commission today proves that the Government's approach to the construction industry and this Royal Commission is all about politics.

"The Commonwealth submission has leapt to conclusions about the construction industry, based on the evidence to the Royal Commission. In doing so, it has pre-empted the Royal Commission's findings and thereby further politicized the Royal Commission," Mr Sutton said.

"They've even determined the findings on industry funds before the hearings have even commenced.
Mr Sutton said: "Not one word is said about employers ever doing the wrong thing. There is nothing about the epidemic of tax rorting [confirmed by a submission by the ATO to the Royal Commission], the widespread underpayment of workers, widespread use of phoenix companies, rorting of Workers Compensation premiums, the increasing use of illegal immigrant labour, appalling safety standards etc etc."
"It ignores evidence given to the Commission by employers supporting site agreements, for example.
"It completely ignores the fact that this is one of the most productive construction industries in the world.
"According to the Commonwealth's submission, there is just one problem in this industry - unions. This document is simply a continuation of the Reith/Abbott assault on effective unions.
"The trouble is with all their various options and possibilities; they haven't been able to define what will and what won't work in their anti-union crusade.

"Much of this relies on the state Labor governments joining in their anti-union frenzy. We would trust they'd have a better understanding of how the industry operates than to engage in that," said Mr Sutton.

For further information

Contact:	Bernadette Moloney
Union:	CFMEU
Phone:	0414 229660
Fax:	9267 8863
Email:	BMoloney@fed.cfmeu.asn.au
WWW:	http://cfmeu.asn.au/construction/

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