Australian Resources and Energy Group AREEA reinforces its support for the Ensuring Integrity Bill following a Senate Committee today handing down its report on the proposed legislation.

The Senate Standing Committee on Education and Employment published its report on the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Ensuring Integrity) Bill 2019, recommending the passage of the Bill in its current form as part of the Morrison Government’s commitment to enhancing the transparency and accountability of all Registered Organisations.

AREEA notes it was unsurprising the ALP and Green senators opposed the passage of the Bill, highlighting their support of unions’ appalling and recidivist behaviour and conduct, particularly the CFMMEU which has been found guilty of more than 2,000 contraventions of Australia’s workplace laws and fined $16 million in recent years.

“The resources and energy industry now calls on Australian Parliamentarians to support the legislation as an effective deterrent to the unlawful and inappropriate actions amongst Registered Organisations,” AREEA Chief Executive Steve Knott said.

“The report is another important step towards appropriate and necessary safeguards that protect the interest of members and meet community expectations around governance and conduct.

“The majority of union representatives in Australia who comply with the law have nothing to fear from the government’s proposed Bill.

“AREEA and its members have long supported various iterations of the Bill to improve the governance and conduct of all Registered Organisations in Australia – including both registered trade union and employer organisations.”

At a Senate committee hearing last month, AREEA prosecuted the critical need for a preventative measure to combat the recidivist and unlawful offending of trade unions and their officials.

“The measures in the Bill are balanced, reasonable and necessary steps to begin to lift the standards and behaviours of all Registered Organisations to better meet community expectations,” Mr Knott said.

“This legislation is critical to ensure influential Registered Organisations’ unlawful or anti-competitive behaviour does not damage Australia’s reputation as a place to invest, do business and employ people.

“Australian employers and employees need adequate protection from the law-breaking and misconduct that puts at risk many areas of national interest.”

AREEA will focus its advocacy efforts on ensuring Crossbench support for this crucial legislation.

“Crossbench support for the passage of this legislative deterrent is essential to upholding the rule of law through enhanced governance and transparency of all Registered Organisations in Australia,” Mr Knott said.

“The resources and energy industry urge all Parliamentarians to take a sensible approach and support these common-sense and uncontroversial changes, which have been before Parliament since 2017.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Brad Thompson, 0409 781 580