Labor's leadership contenders have embraced the party's links with the trade union movement and vowed to oppose Coalition government legislation to reintroduce the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC), the Howard Government court opposed by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
Bill Shorten and Anthony Albanese, who are facing off in a leadership ballot decided in equal part by their parliamentary colleagues and ALP grassroots members, both told a party forum at their second debate on Friday in Melbourne that they would oppose the Coalition's push to reintroduce the ABCC. They defended Labor's links with the unions.
"If you have no unions you have no Labor party," Albanese said, but advocated party processes that empowered union members rather than just leaders and officials.
The Coalition has pledged to restore the ABCC, which was abolished by the Gillard government.
"I am opposed to any law that says this worker will be treated differently to another worker, any law that attempts to force a worker to give evidence against another without any due process," Albanese said in response to a question from the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union to the two contenders.
Shorten responded that if he was leader he would oppose the resurrection of the ABCC, and if it was re-established he would abolish it again if he came to power.
"Construction workers do not need a separate system of laws from other Australian workers," he said.
"Construction workers … you are a constructive bunch … you earn your money. I don't mind workers getting penalty rates … I will stand beside you."
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