❓ Mrs Edwardes questions the Minister for Labour Relations about allegations of union-related discrimination at Hanssen Pty Ltd. The Minister confirms investigations are underway, acknowledging claims from both union and non-union members.
AnsweredQoN 156Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
UNION MEMBERSHIP, HANSSEN PTY LTD
Given that discrimination in the workplace against individuals on the basis of their membership or non-membership of a union is an offence under the Industrial Relations Act and that the Government has an obligation to investigate any complaints, I ask - (1) Has the minister taken action to investigate the allegations made in a letter to him dated 17 June from Perth construction company Hanssen Pty Ltd that two of its workers were banned from steel-fixing jobs at a building site because they were not members of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union? (2) If not, why not? Mr KOBELKE
Given that discrimination in the workplace against individuals on the basis of their membership or non-membership of a union is an offence under the Industrial Relations Act and that the Government has an obligation to investigate any complaints, I ask - (1) Has the minister taken action to investigate the allegations made in a letter to him dated 17 June from Perth construction company Hanssen Pty Ltd that two of its workers were banned from steel-fixing jobs at a building site because they were not members of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union? (2) If not, why not? Mr KOBELKE
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) I have received several letters from Mr Hanssen, so I cannot say that I am addressing that specific letter. Accusations have been made by both sides of the argument: Mr Hanssen has said that people could not work because they were not unionists and unionists have said that they could not work because they were unionists. As is my practice, I have asked the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations to investigate these complaints. They will be pursued and, if possible, charges will be laid. However, we must be careful about allegations that have no substance. If allegations about contravention of the freedom of association provisions of the Industrial Relations Act can be substantiated, they will be dealt with appropriately and prosecutions will be pursued.
(1) Has the minister taken action to investigate the allegations made in a letter to him dated 17 June from Perth construction company Hanssen Pty Ltd that two of its workers were banned from steel-fixing jobs at a building site because they were not members of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union? (2) If not, why not? Mr KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) I have received several letters from Mr Hanssen, so I cannot say that I am addressing that specific letter. Accusations have been made by both sides of the argument: Mr Hanssen has said that people could not work because they were not unionists and unionists have said that they could not work because they were unionists. As is my practice, I have asked the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations to investigate these complaints. They will be pursued and, if possible, charges will be laid. However, we must be careful about allegations that have no substance. If allegations about contravention of the freedom of association provisions of the Industrial Relations Act can be substantiated, they will be dealt with appropriately and prosecutions will be pursued.
(2) If not, why not? Mr KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) I have received several letters from Mr Hanssen, so I cannot say that I am addressing that specific letter. Accusations have been made by both sides of the argument: Mr Hanssen has said that people could not work because they were not unionists and unionists have said that they could not work because they were unionists. As is my practice, I have asked the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations to investigate these complaints. They will be pursued and, if possible, charges will be laid. However, we must be careful about allegations that have no substance. If allegations about contravention of the freedom of association provisions of the Industrial Relations Act can be substantiated, they will be dealt with appropriately and prosecutions will be pursued.
Mr KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) I have received several letters from Mr Hanssen, so I cannot say that I am addressing that specific letter. Accusations have been made by both sides of the argument: Mr Hanssen has said that people could not work because they were not unionists and unionists have said that they could not work because they were unionists. As is my practice, I have asked the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations to investigate these complaints. They will be pursued and, if possible, charges will be laid. However, we must be careful about allegations that have no substance. If allegations about contravention of the freedom of association provisions of the Industrial Relations Act can be substantiated, they will be dealt with appropriately and prosecutions will be pursued.
(1)-(2) I have received several letters from Mr Hanssen, so I cannot say that I am addressing that specific letter. Accusations have been made by both sides of the argument: Mr Hanssen has said that people could not work because they were not unionists and unionists have said that they could not work because they were unionists. As is my practice, I have asked the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations to investigate these complaints. They will be pursued and, if possible, charges will be laid. However, we must be careful about allegations that have no substance. If allegations about contravention of the freedom of association provisions of the Industrial Relations Act can be substantiated, they will be dealt with appropriately and prosecutions will be pursued.
(1) Has the minister taken action to investigate the allegations made in a letter to him dated 17 June from Perth construction company Hanssen Pty Ltd that two of its workers were banned from steel-fixing jobs at a building site because they were not members of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union? (2) If not, why not? Mr KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) I have received several letters from Mr Hanssen, so I cannot say that I am addressing that specific letter. Accusations have been made by both sides of the argument: Mr Hanssen has said that people could not work because they were not unionists and unionists have said that they could not work because they were unionists. As is my practice, I have asked the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations to investigate these complaints. They will be pursued and, if possible, charges will be laid. However, we must be careful about allegations that have no substance. If allegations about contravention of the freedom of association provisions of the Industrial Relations Act can be substantiated, they will be dealt with appropriately and prosecutions will be pursued.
(2) If not, why not? Mr KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) I have received several letters from Mr Hanssen, so I cannot say that I am addressing that specific letter. Accusations have been made by both sides of the argument: Mr Hanssen has said that people could not work because they were not unionists and unionists have said that they could not work because they were unionists. As is my practice, I have asked the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations to investigate these complaints. They will be pursued and, if possible, charges will be laid. However, we must be careful about allegations that have no substance. If allegations about contravention of the freedom of association provisions of the Industrial Relations Act can be substantiated, they will be dealt with appropriately and prosecutions will be pursued.
Mr KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) I have received several letters from Mr Hanssen, so I cannot say that I am addressing that specific letter. Accusations have been made by both sides of the argument: Mr Hanssen has said that people could not work because they were not unionists and unionists have said that they could not work because they were unionists. As is my practice, I have asked the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations to investigate these complaints. They will be pursued and, if possible, charges will be laid. However, we must be careful about allegations that have no substance. If allegations about contravention of the freedom of association provisions of the Industrial Relations Act can be substantiated, they will be dealt with appropriately and prosecutions will be pursued.
(1)-(2) I have received several letters from Mr Hanssen, so I cannot say that I am addressing that specific letter. Accusations have been made by both sides of the argument: Mr Hanssen has said that people could not work because they were not unionists and unionists have said that they could not work because they were unionists. As is my practice, I have asked the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations to investigate these complaints. They will be pursued and, if possible, charges will be laid. However, we must be careful about allegations that have no substance. If allegations about contravention of the freedom of association provisions of the Industrial Relations Act can be substantiated, they will be dealt with appropriately and prosecutions will be pursued.
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