Mr TIM JAMES (Willoughby) (11:33): My question is directed to the Minister for Building. CFMEU wage deals are pushing up the costs of new apartments by 10 per cent per year. When building approvals are at a 12-year low under the Minns Labor Government, why is it allowing to continue?
Mr Greg Warren: Point of order—
The SPEAKER: Before I call the Minister, I will hear the point of order from the member for Campbelltown.
Mr Greg Warren: Standing Order 128 (3) (a) is very clear that a question cannot ask for an expression of opinion. It is very clear that the Opposition's question is asking for an opinion. The question is also inconsistent with Standing Order 128 (2) (b). It is argumentative.
The SPEAKER: I will consider the point of order at a later time. In my opinion, the question is not strictly asking for an opinion. It could well be that there is a reason; I do not know. I do not support the question one way or another. But it is not evident that the answer will require the Minister to express an opinion; it may well be a fact. I will not know until I hear the answer. At this stage, I do not uphold the point of order. The Minister has the call.
I call the member for Wahroonga to order for the first time. I call the member for Wahroonga to order for the second time.
Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG (Macquarie Fields—Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, Minister for Building, and Minister for Corrections) (11:35): I thank the shadow Minister and member for Willoughby for his question. The reports we have seen about the CFMEU are concerning. This Government is not going to tolerate that sort of behaviour at any work site or in any workplace. We all know that there are significant macro factors affecting the costs in the construction industry. It is important to all of us to make sure that we allow the construction industry to move forward and operate in a way that works for the industry and employees. That is why my good friend the Minister for Industrial Relations has undertaken significant work relating to the CFMEU.
I will list the actions the Government has taken. It has moved to suspend the CFMEU Construction and General Division's affiliation to the New South Wales Labor Party. It has asked the Fair Work Ombudsman to review the CFMEU's enterprise bargaining agreements in New South Wales. It has referred all allegations of inappropriate behaviour on New South Wales construction sites to the Construction Compliance Unit within NSW Industrial Relations. It has made an application to the Industrial Court of NSW to put the CFMEU Construction and General Division into administration. It has contacted contractors on New South Wales Government-funded construction sites to remind them of their obligations.
Mr Tim James: Point of order: The question was expressly about wage deals and costs to build new apartments. The Minister has not addressed the question.
The SPEAKER: There is no point of order. The question referred to those issues and asked why is the Government allowing it to continue. The point of order taken by the member for Campbelltown was not far off being a valid point of order. Therefore, I am giving the Minister more leeway to answer the question.
Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG: The Government is moving to make sure that the issues raised in the media around the CMFEU are addressed quickly. Everyone can see what the Government has done. If members opposite want to talk about costs and money, we should talk about the Opposition's money trail.
Mr Dugald Saunders: Point of order—
Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG: They are mafia figures. The mob donated to the Liberals, and they kept the money.
The SPEAKER: Order! The Minister will resume his seat while I hear the point of order from the member for Dubbo.
Mr Dugald Saunders: My point of order relates to Standing Order 129. The question was about building costs.
The SPEAKER: There is no point of order. The member will resume his seat. The Minister has the call.
Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG: At a key Liberal fundraiser, they took mafia money for access. If members opposite want to talk about money in the construction industry, they should talk about the mob and the Liberal Party. [Time expired.]
