Commissioner Dyson Heydon not qualified to speak on safety, says construction union
December 31, 2015 1:00am
Renee ViellarisThe Courier-Mail


THE construction union has accused Dyson Heydon of putting workers’ lives at risk and described his biggest on-the-job risk as “a paper cut or indigestion after a big lunch”.   

CFMEU national construction secretary Dave Noonan yesterday accused the Royal Commissioner into Trade Union Governance and Corruption of watering down safety for blue-collar workers.

Unions and the Opposition described Justice Heydon’s findings as tainted, while employer groups egged on the Turnbull Government to take a broom to the union movement.



Malcolm Turnbull goaded Opposition Leader Bill Shorten into supporting the recommendations and reforms, warning he would make them an election issue.

One recommendation includes changes to right-of-entry laws, which allow union officials to enter worksites during suspected safety breaches. Mr Noonan said such changes would be bad for workers.   



“(Dyson Heydon) has never worked on a building site, wouldn’t know safety if he fell over it,” Mr Noonan said. “The most serious risk he faces at work is a paper cut or indigestion after a big lunch.”

Opposition workplace relations spokesman Brendan O’Connor yesterday reminded the public that Justice Heydon agreed to speak at a Liberal Party fundraiser.

“Dyson Heydon, the man responsible to preside over this royal commission, accepted, while he was commissioner, an invitation to speak at a Liberal Party fundraiser so money could be raised for the political party of the Government,” he said.
CFMEU national construction secretary Dave Noonan says the Commissioner “wouldn’t know safety if he fell over it”.

ACTU secretary Dave Oliver said he rejected “any assertion that there is unlawful, corrupt conduct in our unions”. He said Justice Heydon’s assertion that “thugs and bullies” were welcome at trade unions proved he was biased.   

Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox said the findings showed “the case for change to the laws governing trade unions and related entities is irrefutable”.

Queensland Chamber of Commerce and Industry spokesman Nick Behrens said the findings warranted an urgent response from the Palaszczuk Government.

smell the fear in the unions!  their dirty dealings are becoming public and they do not like it.

the commissioner would know more about safety than any of these clowns.

lee wrote on Jan 1^st, 2016 at 1:48pm:


Probably the reason that he hasn't released a 4000 page report with sections likely to be devastating to industry safety.

Commissioner Not Qualified To Speak

.. fixed.. that'll be $1500 a day pro rata for consultation....

Dnarever wrote on Jan 1^st, 2016 at 2:33pm:



but he feels qualified to comment?

John Smith wrote on Jan 1^st, 2016 at 2:59pm:



Dave Noonan is a full time office wonker. Hardly HIS safety.

Quote:


Commissioner is well Qualified To Speak at liberal party fund raising.

John Smith wrote on Jan 1^st, 2016 at 3:13pm:


Therefore Heydon can comment on OH&S. But neither are qualified.