Senator LIGHTFOOT (2:04 PM) —My question is to Senator the Hon. Eric Abetz, the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. The minister may be aware of reports that unions are apparently compiling secret databases on their members. Given the government’s responsibility for the administration of workplace laws, can the minister provide the Senate with any information on attempts to manipulate public opinion by misrepresenting the effect of those laws?

Opposition senators interjecting—

The PRESIDENT —When the Senate comes to order, we will continue with question time—and don’t complain to me afterwards about the lack of questions.

Senator ABETZ (Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation) —Can I thank Senator Lightfoot for his question—

Senator Conroy interjecting—

The PRESIDENT —You are reflecting on the chair, Senator Conroy. I ask you to mind what you are saying and withdraw.

Senator Conroy —I withdraw.

Senator ABETZ —Can I thank Senator Lightfoot for his question and indicate to him that not only have I seen reports; I have actually seen the 75-page document, which I have with me. I can inform the Senate that this is the so-called political strategy manual designed by the ACTU, and its content, as Senator Lightfoot pointed out, is very disturbing indeed. This is the way it works—and I encourage those opposite to hear this out in silence because if they do they will be condemning it. This is the way it works. Firstly, the ACTU engages an outside database company, Magenta Linus, to supply them with union members’ enrolment status, address and even mobile phone number. Remember, we are talking here about all union members in marginal seats, many of whom would have no real allegiance to the union—people such as 17-year-olds who unwittingly joined when they started part-time work, let’s say, at their local supermarket. The union then passes information to a call centre which telephones the member and solicits even more information, such as their political allegiance, their voting intention at the coming election and their attitude to our IR laws.

Senator George Campbell —What’s wrong with that?

Senator ABETZ —Armed with this information the union then contacts undecided voters pretending to be their friend, feeds them misinformation about our IR laws and solicits even more personal information, such as where they work, their enterprise bargaining agreement expiry date and—get this, Senator George Campbell; you are asking what is wrong with it—even their mortgage status, their career goals, their family situation, their values and their sentiments. Members are even coded. According to the document the aim is to build a profile of the member.

Senator Coonan interjecting—

Senator ABETZ —What we have here is—exactly as Senator Coonan just interjected—nothing but big union acting as Big Brother. They will know all about you, and if you are ‘lucky’—and for Hansard purposes that is in inverted commas—according to the strategy manual you might even get a personal visit from Big Brother to assist you to get onto the electoral roll and show you how to vote. And I do not mean a visit from Gretel Killeen in relation to this.

Honourable senators interjecting—

The PRESIDENT —I am on my feet; there is too much noise in the chamber.

Senator ABETZ —I do not mean a visit from Gretel Killen, so next time there is a knock on your door you can bet your bottom dollar that it will not be the Salvation Army or the Red Cross; it will be Uncle Kevin Reynolds, no doubt, or Joe McDonald, Dean Mighell or, if you are lucky enough, in Tasmania it might even be Brother Harkins. But this unparalleled intrusion by the trade unions into the personal affairs of working Australians and their families needs to be condemned. And Mr Rudd, today, by refusing to condemn this intrusion into Australian families’ lives is endorsing the tactic, which clearly indicates that Mr Rudd and the Australian Labor Party are willing to do whatever it takes to win government at the next election. (Time expired)