Published: 20 Apr 2016
The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union welcomes the defeat of the ABCC legislation, calling it a big win for workers, their families and the communities that rely on their jobs.
CFMEU National Secretary Michael O’Connor acknowledged the many efforts of the union’s supporters in campaigning against the ABCC Bill, which was last night voted down in Parliament.
“The ABCC was nothing more than a Liberal Party attack on working people and their families,” Mr O’Connor said.
“The ABCC would have victimised more than 1 million workers and was based on lies, threats and intimidation. It would have made work sites less safe, leading to more deaths and injuries. It would have made it harder for young people and older workers to get jobs.”
Mr O’Connor acknowledged the efforts of CFMEU members and their families who got behind the campaign to end the ABCC. He also thanked the ACTU and union movement for all their support and solidarity.
“It was only because the CFMEU was united across all divisions that we were able to defeat the Bill,” Mr O’Connor said.
“The CFMEU acknowledges Senators John Madigan, Jacqui Lambie, Glen Lazarus and Ricky Muir who took a strong and principled position in voting against the Bill along with the ALP and the Greens.
“We again thank all our members for their support.”
View the ABCC explainer here