Page 1865 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 1 May 1991
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performance of the Australian labour movement in the defence and improvement of workers' conditions. It is wished well by members on this side of the house, at least, in the pursuit of better and improving conditions for Australian working-class people.
I think it is of significance, at least for this place, that the Occupational Health and Safety Bill of 1989 was the first Bill put before the first Legislative Assembly and it was introduced by the first Labor Government in the Australian Capital Territory. I am quite proud about being associated with that Government in the introduction of a Bill which set out to improve the conditions of workers in the Australian Capital Territory. It was the first Bill introduced by a government in the Australian Capital Territory.
I also have to say that May Day this year is more significant than it has been in recent memory. It is this year that the Liberal Party, through Mr Howard - we all recall that he was the boy blunder of the Fraser Government - is showing the true divisions - - -
Mrs Nolan: He was the what?
MR BERRY: The boy blunder of the Fraser Government. The Liberal Party is showing its true colours in its stand to weaken the position of the union movement in its defence of the labour movement. I remember in 1986 joining with the largest group of people that I had ever joined with in a May Day rally in Manila in the Philippines. Something like half a million workers were out on the streets celebrating May Day. It was interesting that they were fighting against a government which supports the sorts of labour industrial conditions, industrial movements and industrial negotiating conditions that are now proposed by Mr Howard. That is what Mr Howard is trying to do. He is trying to take us back to Third World conditions for workers in this country. The trade union movement will never forget that and will never withdraw from the fight to protect its members. I know that Mr Howard is in for a good fight and it will be taken right up to him. I think it is a good thing, in many ways, that the demarcation lines are being drawn more clearly now than they ever were.
It is part of the New Right agenda to undermine the rights and conditions of workers in the Territory and, of course, across Australia. Mr Howard is threatening, it seems, to force a double dissolution over industrial relations and I think we have to remember the clear distinction between the Liberal Party and the Labor Party in relation to the defence of workers in this country. The members opposite who have joined with the Liberals ought also to remember that they are participating in strengthening the Liberal position of opposition to improved conditions for workers in this country. Mr Collaery and Mr Duby ought to remember that; they have participated and assisted them.
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