The last few weeks have seen a focus on the insulation industry debacle and on the deaths of four young workers. Every workplace death is a tragedy for the family concerned and the union extends its condolences to the families of the workers.

The other thing that we have seen is a tremendous amount of posturing by politicians about the roof insulation matter. We’ve been forthright in our criticism of the Commonwealth Government and of the failings of the scheme; but the sight of Tony Abbott accusing Peter Garrett of industrial manslaughter makes me sick.

Mr Abbott is proud of the laws which he put in place as a Minister in the Howard government which have had the effect of making it harder for unions to make workplaces safe and seen a sharp increase of deaths and injuries in the construction industry. Not only do the ABCC laws treat construction workers as second class citizens- they lead to worse safety in a high risk industry.

Greens' Initiative

On February 25, the Greens introduced into the Senate a motion noting Tony Abbott’s comments about industrial manslaughter. It called on the Parliament to ensure that there are strong National OHS laws which include industrial manslaughter provisions. Predictably, the Coalition voted against the motion.

So after crying crocodile tears about the deaths of the four workers and declaring Peter Garrett guilty of industrial manslaughter, Abbott’s party voted against tough action against bosses who kill workers through criminal negligence.

But what else would we expect from the man who insulted Bernie Banton, as that courageous Australian battled against mesothelioma and for the rights of asbestos victims?

But surely workers can expect Labor to stand up for workers safety? Sadly, the answer is no. They voted against the motion as well.

And it gets worse.

OHS Harmonisation

The States (except in WA) and the Commonwealth have agreed on the ‘harmonisation’ of OHS laws.  But the standards they intend to legislate don’t include industrial manslaughter provisions and undermine the rights of elected safety representatives which already exist in a number of the State jurisdictions.

It is no secret that big business hates industrial manslaughter laws and has campaigned to get rid of them. And they don’t like workers' elected representatives having the right to stop unsafe work.

Now the major parties are dancing to their tune.

They have no regard to the consequences for the working families they like to claim to care about.

CFMEU member Ark Tribe faces six months' imprisonment accused of refusing to inform on his workmates after a stop work meeting over serious safety issues.

This Government talks about a ‘tough cop on the beat’ to persecute construction workers; what about being tough on bosses who kill workers?

Where are their priorities?

The union movement has campaigned against second rate safety laws, but the Rudd government is not listening to unions on this issue.

If this Government pushes through laws which weaken effective safety rights then we’ll see even more deaths in the construction industry and they will not have the excuse: ‘Nobody warned us’.

For our part, safety will always come first - we’ll support workers who refuse unsafe work.

The CFMEU will not stand silent as hard won rights to a safe workplace are sacrificed on the altar of corporate greed.