Subjects: ABCC legislation; plebiscite; Senate crossbench; resignation of Senator Bob Day
EO&E…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
KIERAN GILBERT:
I’m joined by Liberal frontbencher Senator Scott Ryan.
First of all, the Building and Construction Commission didn’t feature that much in the election campaign, but this week it’s all the rage for the Prime Minister.
SENATOR SCOTT RYAN:
Well it was a long election campaign, Kieran. I saw Michaelia [Cash] and the Prime Minister talking about it quite a bit. It was central to the election, it was actually central in 2013 as well, and we have taken this policy to election, after election, after election. It’s about ensuring there’s law, that the law is applied on construction workplaces. It’s also about protecting the rights of union members, but ensuring that unions comply with the same sort of ethical standards and corporate standards that we expect of business. We can’t have a situation where it costs 30 per cent more to build something in Australia. We can’t have a situation where the Federal Court is describing fighting the CFMEU as basically meaningless.
GILBERT:
But it looks like you’re going to get your legislation through without a joint sitting, that’s your understanding of the position of the crossbench at the moment?
SENATOR RYAN:
Well I’m an optimist. Michaelia Cash, the Minister, and the Prime Minister will be talking and Michaelia particular has been talking to the crossbench about this. A number of them have raised issues both over the last three years as we’ve tried to progress this bill, as well as since the election. But I’m optimistic that despite Labor and the Greens refusing to respect the mandate given to us at two respective elections, that the Senate, via the crossbench, will allow us to seek passage of this critical legislation.
GILBERT:
What about the mandate for the same-sex marriage plebiscite? I know the Prime Minister argues that there is a mandate for that. He’s pushing ahead for that February 11 plebiscite. Is there still a chance that you can get it through the Senate? There’s not been a lot of focus on those, Nick Xenophon for example, who said they’re going to oppose it, but is there any chance that he might capitulate on this in negotiations?
SENATOR RYAN:
Again Kieran, I remain an optimist. There hasn’t been an indication thus far, but as the Bill comes out of the House this week we’ll continue discussions with all my Senate colleagues about this.
As we offered the Labor Party, if there’s anything you want to change about the plebiscite, bring forward a proposal and we will consider it in good faith. Mark Dreyfus didn’t suggest a single change despite the fact Bill Shorten said a plebiscite was ok only a couple of years ago. The Greens have advocated a plebiscite, but again they’re much more concerned with playing politics. When it’s about industrial relations, it’s about protecting the CFMEU, they give the Labor Party millions of dollars. On the same-sex marriage plebiscite, they’d prefer there to be no progress to sort of, in order to create a political campaign, but the left of the Labor party and the Greens should let Bill Shorten do what he said he wanted to do only a couple of years ago.
GILBERT:
So when you say thought that you’re an optimist, does that mean you are in talks? That the Government is in talks with Xenophon to try and convince him here? Because up until now he’s been adamant that they won’t support it, that it’s a waste of money and so on.
SENATOR RYAN:
I won’t go into any discussions that I have with my Senate colleagues publically, I don’t think that’s appropriate. But one remains an optimist when dealing with the Senate – the Government doesn’t have a majority.
GILBERT:
Is there any other way you can hold a plebiscite?
SENATOR RYAN:
Not in the form the government has committed at all, no.
GILBERT:
It would be voluntary voting, or something of that sort?
SENATOR RYAN:
There are very technical provisions of the Act that allow the Electoral Commission to conduct ballots on a fee-for-service basis effectively, as they do for other organisations in the community. But that’s not what the Government committed to.
GILBERT:
Finally, Bob Day’s move to step down from the Senate came as a surprise. Do you think he’s made the right call, and what are the implications in terms of the Government’s relationships with the crossbench? But given he was basically voting with the Government on every piece of legislation?
SENATOR RYAN:
I think to be fair to Bob, he’s done an honourable thing, given the circumstances he’s found his business in, and it’s obviously very sad for him. I knew Bob, I should say I know Bob – he’s still around. But look, we will work with the Senate as it’s presented. There have been some comments in this morning’s paper from members of Family First that they will still reflect the policies they took to the election. There’s a lot of small business people in Family First and I think they share our concerns, particularly when it comes to –
GILBERT:
(interrupts) So won’t change it too much?
SENATOR RYAN:
Well look, I don’t want to take anything for granted. We’ll see who they and the South Australian Parliament nominate to replace Bob, but I’m optimistic that they’ll reflect the same sort of concerns Bob brought to the Parliament.
SENATOR RYAN:
Special Minister of State, Scott Ryan, appreciate your time as always.
(ENDS)