Mr McARTHUR(11.06 a.m.) —I am delighted to participate in this very historic debate here today, even though it is only for a short while. However, it goes back to 1986 when the minister at the table, the Minister for Industrial Relations (Mr Reith), the Hon. Neil Brown and I developed the embryo of the current industrial relations policy. I also acknowledge the presence of the Minister for Sport, Territories and Local Government (Mr Warwick Smith). He also participated in those early debates to develop a freer and more flexible industrial relations system. It is 10 years almost to the day that those original and very thoughtful ideas were put forward.

I also pay tribute to the minister at the table for his contribution during that 10-year period when we argued with the then government. The proof of the success of our particular propositions in opposition is that the Labor government agreed with a more flexible enterprise agreement but, unfortunately, they could not get away from the shackles of the union movement. I also put on the public record the excellent work that the minister at the table did during the election campaign, where the Labor government did everything in their power to misrepresent what the opposition at that time were proposing. The minister got through the campaign, faithfully put our proposition and then has converted that to a legislative program that is here before the House on this very historic occasion.

We see the situation where the enterprise agreements are now true enterprise agreements between the employer and the employee under the normal contractual arrangement, not by a third party, the Industrial Relations Commission, interfering with that sensitive and personal relationship between management and the work force. The minister has done an outstanding job in preparing the detailed schedule.

I also put on the record the cooperation of the Australian Democrats in allowing the government to get a main plank of their election platform through the Senate. It has now returned to the House on this very historic occasion. We see the situation where the unfair dismissals law has been chucked out. Most members on the other side of the parliament would understand what a good thing that is. They understood it was not working and was causing them considerable difficulty.

The Employment Advocate will make sure that those employees who want some assistance can get it. They will be able to use the services of the Employment Advocate to ensure that any agreement they reach with their employer is correct and reflects their aspirations in the workplace, and make sure that any employer does not victimise employees, as has been the allegation of the opposition at this stage. The 45D secondary boycott provision is another aspect that was removed by the Labor government in the hope that the industrial thuggery of the union movement could be used from time to time.

Mr Martin —Turn it up. You don't believe that.

Mr McARTHUR —That is true, as the member for Cunningham (Mr Martin) would understand, even in his own electorate. I certainly understand it. I had a particular case in the electorate of Robertson when the wool scourers were stood over by the union movement because of a demarcation dispute. This was an indictment of the union movement and industrial relations in Australia in the 1990s. That was an example we had in the last six months. It is no good the member for Cunningham suggesting that was not the case.

I conclude by saying this is a very historic occasion for this parliament. We had the American President here yesterday and today we have the return of these amendments from the Senate. They will be passed by this House and they were passed by the Senate. This industrial relations legislation will be enshrined as a tribute to the Prime Minister (Mr Howard), who put a great amount of effort into developing the general philosophy, assisted by the minister at the table and a number of us who supported both the Prime Minister and the minister in developing that framework. We have a very good legislative package which reflects that philosophical position. I am sure all workers in Australia and all managements will be much better off. The prosperity that will emanate from this over the next 100 years will ensure that this historic piece of legislation forms an important part of the Howard government—(Time expired)