PM Transcripts

PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 16 JULY 1985
JOINT STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER AND THE MINISTER FOR
EMPLOYMENT AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, MR RALPH WILLIS.
Cabinet today endorsed the need for strong and direct
Commonwealth legislative action against the'BLF in response
to the Union's sustained record of industrial lawlessness,
particularly in Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT.
The detailed content of the proposed legislation, and the
way in which the deregistration of the Union, or its
equivalent, will operate at the national level arid in the
different States, will be considered by Cabinet next week.
The Federal Government no longer has any confidence in
assurances or undertakings given by the BLF that the Union
will conduct itself in a responsible way.
The industrial record of the Union is appalling. It has
continued to cause severe disruption to the building industry
despite a number of written assurances that it would operate
in accordance with the procedures of the conciliation and
arbitration system.
The actions of the BLF pose a continuous threat to the
stability of the industry, the employment of other building
workers, the national wage principles and the Prices and
Incomes Accord.
The Government is determined to create a new industrial
environment in the building industry which will have
significant benefits not only for workers and employers in
the industry, but also for the national economy.
The Government will require the assistance of building
employers, the ACTU and other building unions to ensure
the success of its proposals.
There will also be a heavy onus on employers in the industry
to take a firm stand. Too often in the past employers have
been prepared to do separate deals with the BLF against the
best interests of the industry as a whole.
Further, employers have adopted industrial relations practices
which have facilitated the success of the BLF's tactics.
The Government is; only prepared to a' t as long as it has
guarantees of solid support from employers in the industry and
in the knowledge that they are prepared to take appiopriate
action to put an end to undesirable industrial practices in the
industry. A
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