Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has insisted Madeleine King has “a good relationship” with the resources sector and played down comments on BHP’s propensity to “run to the Murdoch press”.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has insisted Resource Minister Madeleine King has “a good relationship” with the resources sector and played down last week’s comments on BHP’s propensity to “run to the Murdoch press”.
Minister King made the comments at a Chamber of Commerce and Industry business breakfast on August 29 while speaking on the return on unions to the Pilbara as a result of the federal government changes to collective bargaining laws.
“They’ve (BHP) always railed against Labor policy,” she said.
“Whether in opposition or government. . . they’re the first to go to the Murdoch press to do a story around what they don’t like about what a Labor government chooses to do, and it wouldn’t matter what it is.”
Prior to the changes, unions would have to prove they represented a majority of the workers before forcing any mining company to the negotiating table.
But the changes allow unions to force miners to negotiate on pay and conditions with only a small fraction of the workforce’s support.
The changes were used to force BHP to the negotiating table in early August – the first-time unions were in the region for more than a decade.
Minister King said concerns over the return of unions, and the “economic catastrophe” some claimed it would be, was just “hysteria”.
But speaking in Perth today, Mr Albanese shrugged off questions of a spat with the industry.
“Madeleine King has a great relationship with the resources sector,” he said.
“She's doing a fantastic job as a cabinet minister.
“She's a strong advocate for the sector and is delivering for the sector as well.”
Mr Albanese said his government would continue to engage with the sector on industrial relations reforms.
“We know that here in the great state of Western Australia, the resources sector has played such a critical role in our national economy,” he said.
“What Labor governments do is understand that working people need proper wages and conditions, but we also understand this, that employees have an interest in constructive and positive relationships with employers, and that overwhelmingly is what occurs.
“That's why we support enterprise bargaining, because they have a common interest, and that's what we want to see.”
When quizzed about the comments, BHP Australia president Geraldine Slattery said the company advocated for policy which would drive the country’s competitiveness and enabling the sector to thrive.
