Unions protest as building inquiry rolls on in wrong direction

With the full backing of the Federal Government, especially the 
Workplace Relations Minister Tony Abbott, the Commission of Inquiry into 
the Australian Building Industry is steaming on. (Abbott has taken a 
particularly vicious anti-union stance since his ministerial appointment. 
He is now exploring the possibility of suing unions involved in the recent 
BHP steel dispute, even though the dispute has been resolved and the 
company has withdrawn its own threat of legal action.)

Despite protests from a number of unions involved in the building industry, 
the Commission remains focused on the conduct of the unions, in particular 
those of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Workers Union 
(CFMEU).

The unions are responding. Last week a rally in support of the building 
unions was held outside the Family Law Court Building, where the 
Commission's hearings are being held. Those attending included 
representatives from the building unions, as well as the Australian 
Manufacturing Workers Union, the Finance Sector Union, and the Liquor, 
Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union.

Speakers told the rally that the Commission is still refusing to allow 
witnesses to testify about issues like health and safety in the workplace, 
breaches of award conditions and corrupt practices by builders. Instead, 
the Commission has accepted — indeed, encouraged — testimony from shonky 
builders, former union officials and the Howard Government's Employment 
Advocate — in short, anyone with a grudge against the building unions.