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Thursday, 16 February 2012
Page: 1588

Mr SHORTEN (Maribyrnong—Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation and Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) (10:16): The government will not be supporting this amendment. We introduced this bill because we made a commitment to do so. The bill without this amendment still reflects the government's long-standing position that we will keep a strong inspectorate on construction sites and that we will still retain coercive powers as per the recommendations of the Wilcox report. There has been a long debate over these issues in the community and the parliament. The government has certainly listened very carefully to the contributions of the member for Melbourne, the member for Denison and the member for Kennedy on this, but now the government wants to get on with the job of helping build the nation, its key infrastructure, its hospitals and schools. We are focused on the big issues: on the future of work, how we build a stronger economy and a fairer Australia.

The SPEAKER: The question before the chair is that the amendments moved by the honourable member for Melbourne be agreed to.

A division having been called and the bells having been rung—

The SPEAKER: As there would appear to be fewer than five members on the side for the ayes in this division, I declare the question negatived in accordance with standing order 127. The names of those honourable members who are in the minority will be recorded in the Votes and Proceedings.

Question negatived, Mr Bandt, Mr Wilkie and Mr Katter voting aye.