Page 2459 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 31 July 2018
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Public Sector Union, better known as the CPSU, and have been a long-term member of both unions. I recently joined a third union. That was only this week; it has not quite made it onto my declaration of public interest, but it will be done tomorrow because I filled out the form today. Since I have been a member, I have sought advice on other matters that have come before this place as to whether my union membership is in any way, shape or form any form of conflict, and I have been informed that no, it is not.
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Can I just clarify? Are you saying, Ms Cody, that you have declared on your statement of interest your membership of two unions?
Ms Cody: I have declared two: CPSU and the CFMEU. They have been in hand since I was elected and sworn into this place in 2016.
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Coe, on the point of order?
Mr Coe: On the generality of this, the bill is obviously a massive free kick for the CFMEU and indirectly for the members therein.
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Can you keep to the point of order, please, Mr Coe.
Mr Coe: It stands to reason, given that free kick, that members in this place would be conflicted.
Ms J Burch: Madam Deputy Speaker—
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Ms Burch, I cannot hear from you; you are not in your place.
This is not entirely uncharted waters, but it is an area that the Assembly has very occasionally gone into.
Ms Burch, do you want to speak on the point of order, now that you are in your place?
Ms J Burch: Thank you. I was just going to reflect that this is a matter of a point of order and not for debate.
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Yes; I agree wholeheartedly.
Ms J Burch: Given the leeway that has been provided, I would just ask this on the point of order. The members’ membership of unions has been declared. I am a member of the AWU, as are many members here. Sorry, I am leaning into the debate.
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Just be careful.
Ms J Burch: Maybe I should sit down and seek leave to make a comment.
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: No, no. I have to deal with the point of order. The point of order is a complex one. This might sound a bit wimpy, but I am only the Deputy Speaker.
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