Page 3823 - Week 14 - Thursday, 10 December 1992
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MR BERRY: I am sorry; Mr Deputy Speaker was. He is very diligent. We will not sit back and tolerate a situation where workers who strike for their rights will be treated like criminals. That is what the Liberals support. The level of disgust at the attack on Australian workers was highlighted by a recent opinion poll which asked whether people would prefer the Hewson-Howard "jobsack" policy or would prefer to retain the present system. Fifty-eight per cent were in favour of the present system. Only 34 per cent prefer "jobsack". That is what will govern the Liberals. They will change daily to suit the polls and after the election they will do a Kennett on them. The Liberals intend throwing out almost a century of developments that have established a modern and just method of industrial arbitration and wage setting in Australia.
Mr Humphries: This is a Berry poll, is it?
MR BERRY: It is ANOP, actually. The Liberals intend throwing out that system which has been developed over the last half-century. It has been a half-century that has served this country well in the development of an industrial relations model. It will develop over time, provided that there is the will to do it; but the Liberals do not have that will. All they have is the will for confrontation. That has been demonstrated. That is why Victorian workers are outraged at the disgusting behaviour of the Liberals and the turn of events which occurred around the election. Something was promised on the one hand and something was taken away after the election. The majority of Australians, Mr Deputy Speaker, have seen through "frightpack", and that is why we saw 100,000 workers out on the streets of Melbourne. Mrs Carnell would take away the right of people to strike. That is what she would do.
Mrs Carnell: No, I would not. It is a totally basic human right.
MR BERRY: No, no; Mrs Carnell would say, "Unions are necessary, provided they are nice and quiet". She would support a situation where the Mercedes and the BMWs were reduced in price so that the likes of her and all of her Liberal mates could afford them; but she would support, and has supported, a system where food would be taxed. People would go hungry because of a tax, but that could change. We will see whether they change it. Do you still support the food tax? Do you support the tax of 15 per cent on your tomatoes? Of course you do. They support it this week but not next week. This morning, Mr Deputy Speaker, on ABC radio - - -
Mr Kaine: Let us see your legislation to take non-existing taxes off food.
MR BERRY: Have a look at what has happened in the ACT. For two months unemployment has been falling - under a Labor government. This morning on ABC radio it was said that overall unemployment has fallen for two months running.
Mr De Domenico: Have a look at youth unemployment. It is the highest in the country.
Mr Lamont: I raise a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. Could you ask the rat pack opposite whether they could listen in silence.
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