Page 1499 - Week 05 - Thursday, 12 May 1994
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MR BERRY: Nobody ever does. The ones who suffer by it know. This is just a continuation of the old howls from the conservatives. They are not something to be concerned about. I do not think that any political organisation in Australia can claim more than the Labor Party can claim on its record on the issue of discrimination. It has made things much better in that area. Nobody can claim the sorts of advances that the Labor Party can claim, and does claim.
Mr Cornwell: Why don't you practise what you preach with the unions?
MR BERRY: You might be very envious about our achievements in that respect.
Mr Cornwell: No; I would be ashamed, not envious.
MR BERRY: Of course, you might be antagonistic toward the achievements. It seems that you are - - -
Mr Cornwell: No; I would be ashamed if I were you.
MADAM SPEAKER: Order!
MR BERRY: I expect that you will be for the rest of this year, next year and evermore, because I heard your goddess, Bronwyn, railing against collectivism just recently and promoting individualism. The conservatives always oppose collectivism because a more powerful group can work in the interests of those who belong to the particular collective.
Mr De Domenico: Is this you or Leninspeak?
MR BERRY: It is Bronwyn Bishopspeak. I have to say it.
Mr De Domenico: No, the collectivism. This is Leninspeak, I think - Cuba, China, Canberra.
MR BERRY: No, it is Bronwyn Bishopspeak. Madam Speaker, I do not hear anything different from the Liberals. I expect that this speech will be dusted off once or twice before the next election. I am not looking forward to it, but they will get the same response from the Labor members in this chamber. We will show, each time, the achievements which have been made by the trade union movement across this country in the face of adversity. We will also raise the screams and cries of the past each time an advance was made. When the 40-hour week came along, the place was going to collapse. When the 38-hour week came along, "Oh, woe is me, woe is me", cried the conservatives. When the eight-hour day came along, "Woe is me", cried the conservatives. Every time an advance was made there was a scream from the conservatives. Well, who cares? The rest of the world is going to leave you behind. We are going to get on with it and enjoy those advantages which have been won by the trade union movement and the Labor Party throughout the years. We will still listen to your howls, but I am sure that most of us ignore them now. We will continue to do so.
MADAM SPEAKER: The discussion is concluded.
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