2017-10-25
AWU raids are a dark day for democracy: Bandt
Greens industrial relations spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today said that the AWU raids mark a dark day for democracy and the rule of law. The Greens opposed the establishment of the Registered Organisations Commission and continue to call for a national broad based independent anti-corruption watchdog instead.
“These raids mark a dark day for democracy and the rule of law in this country,” said Mr Bandt.
“When there are claims that 7-Eleven is stealing money from its workers or that casino bosses are rigging machines and breaking the law, the government says it couldn’t possibly intervene. But when a union donates money to a citizens group that holds the government to account, the police are sent in in full view of the media.
“The Registered Organisations Commission is not operating as a watchdog but as an attack dog, which is what we feared and why we opposed its establishment.
“When there are allegations of wrongdoing, if you have a white collar this government turns a blind eye, but if you have a blue collar they throw the book at you.
“This is part of a worrying broader crackdown on dissent in Australia.
“What we need isn’t another government body that is deployed to destroy political opponents, but a national independent commission against corruption.”
Media contact: Gideon Reisner, 0429 109 054
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