No timeline for union crackdown with tax cuts first order of government business

The Morrison Government is using controversy around CFMMEU boss John Setka to call for a crackdown on unions – but there’s one key step it won’t commit to.

THE Coalition Government will not commit to a timeline on its proposal to deregister unions which repeatedly thumb their nose at the law, even as it puts pressure on Labor to sever ties with the CFMMEU.

Despite the government this week announcing the plan was back on the agenda, Employment Minister Michaelia Cash yesterday could not say when it would be put to a vote.

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She would only say tax cuts would be the government’s first priority and it would be up to Attorney-General Christian Porter to decide the time frame after that.

Employment Minister Michaelia Cash could not commit to a timeline to introduce laws which could see unions which repeatedly break the law deregistered. Picture: Gary Ramage

“The Prime Minister made it incredibly clear that our tax plan, giving tax relief to Australians … that is our priority,” Senator Cash said.

“This is ultimately for the Attorney-General to bring that legislation forward.”

While Mr Porter is overseas this week, a spokesman for the Prime Minister said the Ensuring Integrity Bill “will be a priority for the government”.

The proposed laws would enable a court to deregister a union, or union official, which repeatedly break industrial laws.

It was blocked in the previously parliament, and while the government now only needs three more crossbenchers to support it, Senator Cash said negotiations would be needed to get it passed. “The reality is, the government does not have numbers in the Senate.

“Welcome to the world of the Australian Senate,” she said.

Senator Cash accused Opposition leader Anthony Albanese of “weasel words” for condemning Victorian CFMMEU boss John Setka without severing ties from the militant union.

CFMEU Secretary John Setka (left) leaves a meeting with ACTU boss Sally McManus in Melbourne. Picture: AAP Image/Daniel Pockett

“Mr Anthony Albanese is saying John Setka has to go. But while they (Labor) are financially tied to the CFMMEU, they are nothing more and nothing less than weasel words,” she said.

Mr Setka has been under fire for reportedly telling a union meeting Rosie Batty’s domestic violence advocacy had led to men having few rights – which the union boss denies.

Australian Council of Trade Unions boss Sally McManus met with Mr Setka yesterday and asked him to resign.