‘Hateful advert I’ve ever seen’: trade union lost for ‘disgraceful’ propaganda shows Scott Morrison knocking workers off a bus on the anniversary of the Oatlands tragedy
- The Government wants to reform business relationships to get people back to work
- Trade unions are opposed to the move and fear workers will receive lower wages
- The Trades Union has issued an advert showing a PM driving a bus
- The advert has been called outrageous and humiliating to the victims of a traffic accident
Business Relations Minister Christian Porter has called for a union advertising campaign opposed to workplace reforms to be pulled from the airwaves.
The coalition’s industrial relations bill has received strong impetus from Labor and the unions, who argue that changes to the overall better test could leave workers worse off.
The electricity and construction union advertisement features Prime Minister Scott Morrison speeding a bus to around a dozen workers.
Business Relations Minister Christian Porter has called for a rail advertising campaign (pictured) against workplace reforms to be pulled from the airwaves
The clip cuts just before the vehicle, which has an ‘IR omnibus bill’ on its side, knocks down the frightened group.
In a blistering attack, Mr Porter said the campaign was a disgrace, disgrace and insensitivity to the families of people who died in road accidents.
‘This hat is just a new low point in Australian politics,’ he told 2GB of radio on Monday.
‘People get pushed within their organization by the advertisers for the most annoyance and panic value but to show images like this they are just crossing a big line and should not happen. ‘
Mr Porter was like the ad for a GetUp campaign that was blacked out against former Prime Minister Tony Abbott who was represented as a surf rescuer who allowed people to drown.
‘That was taken from the air and this is much worse than that. It should go. It’s just awful. ‘
Mr Porter said the campaign was a shame, a disgrace and an insensitivity to the families of people killed in road accidents.
Leila Geagea and Danny Abdallah whose children Antony, 13, Angelina, 12, and Sienna, 9, and Veronique Sakr died on February 1, 2020 when they were hit by a drunk driver
CFMEU national construction secretary Dave Noonan said workers who are just starting to get back on their feet after coronavirus shutdown would be violated by the laws.
‘Crossbench elders have the power to stop this omnibus from overrunning Australian workers,’ he said.
ETU national secretary Allen Hicks said the campaign was about standing up for all employees.
‘Australian workers have done their part to keep the economy strong through the COVID-19 crisis, and it is a shame that Scott Morrison wants to break them with this omnibus,’ he said.
Mr Porter said the advert was launched on the same day as the anniversary of four children being killed by a driver in west Sydney.
Sienna Abdallah, eight, and her sisters Angelina, 12, and Antony, 13, and cousin Veronique Sakr, 13, were killed on the way to buying ice cream at a local supermarket.
‘It’ s just an unfortunate disgrace to people who have been through road trauma and should be dragged, ‘Mr Porter said.
Under the government’s plan, the Fair Work Commission would be able to better consider the effects of coronavirus when approving agreements that failed the overall test.
The omnibus bill also proposes changes to foot earnings, rewards, salary theft and long-term agreements.
Mr Porter said the advert was launched on the same day as the anniversary of the killing of four children by a driver in west Sydney.