Federal politics: Dutton warns Labor on scrapping ABCC in Albanese’s first question time as PM

Scrapping Australia’s construction watchdog will up housing costs, leave union officials unchecked, Peter Dutton claims in Anthony Albanese's first question time as PM.

Accusing Labor of making a “bad situation worse,” the Opposition has warned the abolition of Australia’s construction watchdog will drive up housing costs and leave “criminal” behaviour by union officials unchecked.

Labor’s plan to abolish the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) was the main focus of the Coalition during the first question time of the 47th parliament, where Opposition leader Peter Dutton and his frontbench sought to apply pressure on the new government.

Mr Dutton accused Anthony Albanese of cowing to the “corrupt and criminal” Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU), asking why Labor was happy to allow construction costs to go up by axing the ABCC.

In his first answer to the House of Representatives since becoming Prime Minister, Mr Albanese said the construction sector would continue to be regulated as other industries were.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton quizzes Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during Question Time. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“When the ABCC is abolished, the Ombudsman will enforce the Fair Work Act in the construction sector,” he said.

“We come with the very simple principle, which is why should one worker in one sector be treated differently from workers in a different sector.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese takes a question. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Mr Albanese shut down a broader question about if he could confirm meeting with any of the CFMEU officials charged with “thousands” of crimes, accusing the Coalition of “smear tactics”.

He said he would answer if he had met with a specific named person, but could not respond to the vague question.

Deputy Opposition leader Sussan Ley asked Mr Albanese why he believed the ABCC was a “waste of taxpayer money” when it was currently pursuing a CFMEU official Gerard McCruden for allegedly pushing, shoving and verbally abusing a female health and safety manager on a worksite.

Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Cyber Security Clare O'Neil on the attack during Question Time. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Mr Albanese said wherever a crime had been committed, any worker in any industry should be charged accordingly.

Asked why the government was “prioritising” the interests of union bosses in focusing on the ABCC so early in the term, Mr Albanese hit back at the Coalition arguing they were showing their own warped priorities by solely focusing on that policy.

“Australians must have a workplace relations system that is based upon fairness, it is based upon mutual trust and respect, and obeying the rule of law,” he said.

“Where there are breaches of the rule of law, either by unions or employers, including in the construction industry … the rule of law should apply.”

Foot and mouth questions

The Coalition also took the government to task on its response to the foot and mouth disease outbreak in Indonesia threatening Australia’s agriculture sector, and demanded Labor guarantee it could hand consumers a $275 reduction on their power bills.

Mr Albanese said Labor would deliver on its one promised energy policy platform and attacked the Coalition for avoiding telling Australians wholesale power prices were due to go up during the election.

“One of the previous government’s final acts was to hide that energy prices would be going up in July,” he said.

In one major change to the last parliament, the government took multiple questions from crossbench MPs, which grew to 16 members after the 2022 election.

Katter’s Australian Party Kennedy MP Bob Katter asked Mr Albanese for reassurance the Labor Government would further irrigation projects in his north Queensland electorate, noting the prime minister had previously visited the region and seen first hand the opportunities to expand agriculture.

Katter’s sobering observation

Mr Albanese confirmed where the “appropriate” environment safeguards could be assured, Labor would support new water projects.

He also thanked Mr Katter for hosting his visits to the electorate of Kennedy, prompting an unscripted outburst that left the entire parliament and public galleries laughing.

Mr Katter noted Mr Albanese had impressively remained sober for both visits, prompting the Prime Minister to respond he wasn’t sure why that needed “clarification” but thanked him for his “goodwill”.

Despite debate in the lead-up to the new parliament about reforming how question time operated, the “dixers” — friendly questions asked of ministers by government backbench MPs – continued, with answers given on support for cost of living, child care and aged care.

Originally published as Federal politics: Dutton warns Labor on scrapping ABCC in Albanese’s first question time as PM