Senator Nick Xenophon uses steel, ships as bargaining chips as Federal Government moves towards July 2 election
STEEL and ships have become bargaining chips as the Government looks resigned to a July 2 election.
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STEEL and ships have become bargaining chips as the Government looks resigned to a July 2 election.
South Australian Senator Nick Xenophon will use the ruckus over industrial relations laws to push for changes to procurement laws to favour locals.
The Government will today introduce the legislation to re-establish the Australian Building and Construction Commission. To pass, it needs the votes of six of the eight crossbenchers. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull confirmed yesterday that if the legislation does not pass, it will trigger a double dissolution election.
That means the whole Senate is up for election instead of the usual half who would be up in a “normal” spring election.
So far, Family First senator Bob Day is the only crossbencher certain to vote in favour of the legislation, but other senators have indicated they could vote with the Government if certain amendments are made.
Senator Xenophon has said he wants some occupational health and safety elements included, and told The Advertiser yesterday he would also push for procurement rules ensuring the construction industry has to use local workers and products.
“For me it’s about the ships and the submarines and local manufacturing. This is about the future of jobs,” he said.
Other senators want to see the ABCC legislation broadened to become a national anti-corruption body.
The Government says bringing back the ABCC, which Labor abolished, will tackle “lawlessness” in the construction industry and boost productivity, while Labor says it unfairly targets one industry.
One person who thinks the Bill could pass is Senator Day, whom Mr Turnbull tasked with getting the other crossbenchers on board. Senator Day pointed out that several of them have said they would block it “in its current form”.
“You could change one comma and then it’s not in its current form,” Senator Day said.
“The crossbench is favourably disposed towards it.”
Mr Turnbull spent yesterday giving a rousing speech to truck drivers, saying he was on their side and against introducing a minimum wage for owner/drivers, which they say is putting them out of business.
The issue is a neat fit with the ABCC fight, allowing the Government to go on the attack against Labor-affiliated unions and in favour of small business.
“The lawlessness in the construction sector has intensified since Labor took the tough cop off the beat,” Mr Turnbull said, while also showing he was ready and willing to go to a July 2 election.
Originally published as Senator Nick Xenophon uses steel, ships as bargaining chips as Federal Government moves towards July 2 election
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