Page 5124 - Week 16 - Wednesday, 27 November 1991
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More importantly, it is an issue that needs some debate in the public arena first. The issue has been debated somewhat, but never with the clear intention that we should legislate for it in the ACT. I believe that it is appropriate that this concept be given some airing, as indeed many other concepts have been given an airing through this Assembly, either through its committees or through tabling legislation and leaving the legislation open for debate for some time. I think it is appropriate that we go through that process before going for this particular decision.
I know that Mr Stefaniak's position is a quite ideological one, and I know that it is only recently that he has discovered the great benefits of unions, whereas some of us, of course, have been long-term members of unions. But I am also personally aware of a number of people who chose not to be a member of a union and, because of that, suffered some significant disadvantages. At the same time, I recognise that they actually won some significant advantages, even though they were not members of a union, because of the work of the union.
Mr Humphries: You made the choice. You were not forced to make the choice.
MR MOORE: Yes, that was a choice to be made. But the choice to not be a member of the union, in that particular instance, involved doing away with any opportunity for promotion, and that, as far as I was concerned, was entirely inappropriate and incorrect. That is why, conceptually and in principle, I agree with Mr Stefaniak. I made that quite clear. I make no bones about it; I oppose compulsory unionism.
Mr Berry: But it does not exist.
MR MOORE: Mr Berry interjects, "It does not exist". It still seems to me that this is not the appropriate place for this provision. If Mr Stefaniak can convince me by the middle of next year, and after some debate in the public arena on this, that this is the appropriate place, then I would reconsider it; but at this stage, even though I accept in principle and agree with what Mr Stefaniak is trying to do, I feel obliged to oppose this amendment.
MR HUMPHRIES (5.47): I am disappointed that a number of people who expressed support for this amendment before have changed their minds on this subject. I have not yet heard anything that constitutes a good reason for backing down on this and - - -
Mr Berry: It will not work; that is a good enough reason.
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