4 years ago
DEAD, BURIED AND EXHUMED: MORRISON’S ANTI-WORKER ATTACK
TONY BURKE MP
Less than a week after the Parliament rejected Scott Morrison’s extreme union-bashing legislation he’s at it again: launching another attack on workers and paving the way for WorkChoices 2.0.
The Senate voted down the so-called “Ensuring Integrity” Bill because it was bad for teachers, nurses, cleaners, firefighters and other Australian workers who just want a decent pay rise and a safe workplace.
But Morrison has refused to listen to the message. Driven by a blind hatred of unions, he is displaying breathtaking arrogance by re-introducing the same Bill that was rejected just a few days ago.
Why is he so desperate to get this Bill passed?
Because this has always been a two-stage attack.
First the Government is going after the organisations that represent, protect and fight for workers.
Next they will come after workers’ pay and conditions directly.
This is clearly Morrison’s industrial relations agenda: smash the unions to pave the way for WorkChoices 2.0.
This is the Ensuring Double Standards Bill.
Morrison is seeking to impose standards on unions that he refuses to impose on banks or members of his own Cabinet. He isn’t proposing to do anything about the 23 million law breaches by a major bank – but wants to power to shut down unions for three paperwork breaches.
Morrison has already launched attacks on the freedom of the press, freedom of information and the freedom to protest. This Bill attacks freedom of association – the right of workers to choose their representatives.
Morrison is determined to ensure that no voices are heard but his own.
Labor will stand shoulder to shoulder with Australian workers and the unions that represent them to defeat this legislation again.
The Senate voted down the so-called “Ensuring Integrity” Bill because it was bad for teachers, nurses, cleaners, firefighters and other Australian workers who just want a decent pay rise and a safe workplace.
But Morrison has refused to listen to the message. Driven by a blind hatred of unions, he is displaying breathtaking arrogance by re-introducing the same Bill that was rejected just a few days ago.
Why is he so desperate to get this Bill passed?
Because this has always been a two-stage attack.
First the Government is going after the organisations that represent, protect and fight for workers.
Next they will come after workers’ pay and conditions directly.
This is clearly Morrison’s industrial relations agenda: smash the unions to pave the way for WorkChoices 2.0.
This is the Ensuring Double Standards Bill.
Morrison is seeking to impose standards on unions that he refuses to impose on banks or members of his own Cabinet. He isn’t proposing to do anything about the 23 million law breaches by a major bank – but wants to power to shut down unions for three paperwork breaches.
Morrison has already launched attacks on the freedom of the press, freedom of information and the freedom to protest. This Bill attacks freedom of association – the right of workers to choose their representatives.
Morrison is determined to ensure that no voices are heard but his own.
Labor will stand shoulder to shoulder with Australian workers and the unions that represent them to defeat this legislation again.