Page 1326 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 12 May 1993
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environment of compulsory membership has produced some very unfortunate results for trade unionism in this country. It has caused, I think, a serious decline in both membership of trade unions and the popularity of the concept of trade unionism.
The Canberra Times last December reported a poll of people's attitudes in this country towards trade unionism. Fifty per cent of people believed that trade unions had been a good thing for Australia, which is a 10 per cent decline in their level of support for that same question since 1987. However, 87 per cent of people polled by Time Australia believed that union membership should be voluntary. I do not think there is any great difference between the view of those Australians polled through that organisation and the views of people in the Australian Capital Territory.
If members of this Government cared to ask people their views, I have no doubt at all that there would be an overwhelming majority of people who felt that legislation of the kind Mr Moore has brought forward is entirely sensible, that trade union membership should be voluntary and on no other basis. Membership of trade unions in the ACT has been sliding for the last few years. Only 45 per cent of Canberra workers belong to a trade union, compared with the Australia-wide average of 56 per cent. That number is down over the last five years. The number of unions in the ACT fell from 87 to 58 between 1986 and 1991. That is a reflection of a new attitude whereby the number of unions has been reduced through a conscious decision of government. Nonetheless, it also reflects the fact that there has been a decline in the population base interested in joining trade unions.
It seems to me that, if those opposite were sensible about this, they would realise that this measure is a very important device to allow trade unions to flourish, because it would put back on them the onus to perform or perish. Under this arrangement, unions will have to prove that they are capable of doing their members a good turn. They will have to prove that they are capable of winning and retaining membership. I think many unions in this Territory and across the country would profit greatly from that arrangement. Many unions would find that their capacity to attract members would be greatly enhanced, and that would be a very positive thing for union membership. Those opposite who see in this the death of trade unions are being deliberately hysterical about the matter and they will find over time that this measure produces some very positive results.
Mr Berry said that sensible Liberals in this community will oppose this measure. I defy him to find one. He has implied that there are some Liberals in this community who would not support this measure. I defy him to find one. Mr Berry sent mixed signals about what this Bill will do. He said on the one hand that it is futile, but on the other that it will have a high impact. Once again, Mr Berry has sat back and not bothered to explain clearly his Government's position on this Bill to either the trade unions in this city or the population generally. Just what is it that is so wrong about this Bill? If you cannot tell us in this debate, Mr Berry, you have lost your chance. That is it. This is the last chance.
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