1st Parliament of South America

[Oakvale]

On behalf of my party, I second the bill, Mr. Speaker.

[Oakvale]

Mr. Speaker,

I'd like to speak to apologise on behalf of the government for the lack of response to the Leader of the Opposition's amendment. The Deputy Prime Minister has been very busy, as I know most members on all sides of the aisle have been, but that's no excuse. It should not have happened. I hope it can be addressed on the second reading.

[Oakvale]

AYE.

[Oakvale]

Mr. Speaker,

I have today as Minister for Justice introduced the Industrial Relations Act, a reasonable and moderate compromise between the rights and responsibilities of businesses and those of employees, respecting both the rights of marginalised groups and religious conscience, and establishing a framework for constructive and productive relations between organised labor and the state in years to come.

I expect that the honorable members of the Opposition will not be particularly enthused about this law, but I must thank the leadership of the National Congress of Labor for ignoring the clarion call of the communists on the far-left and avoiding a massive strike in response to the tragic events in Cochabamba that would have done little more than threaten to plunge the nation into instability and turn citizen against citizen. It is through cooperation, whatever our stark political differences, that a better and stronger South American will be built.

[Oakvale]

Mr. Speaker,

I motion to end debate and move for a third reading.

[Oakvale]

Mr. Speaker,

I move for a third reading.

[Oakvale]

AYE.