FED: Murray calls for evenhanded approach to building

AAP General News (Australia)
04-04-1999
FED: Murray calls for evenhanded approach to building

The Australian Democrats are calling on the federal government to ensure it is even-handed
in pursuing alleged corrupt practices in the building industry.

Industrial Relations Minister PETER REITH has nominated the building industry as a priority
for change, saying it's dominated by a militant union and pliant contractors.

The Democrats' industrial relations spokesman ANDREW MURRAY has told Network Ten's Meet the
Press program he endorses tackling problems in the construction sector.

But he says the government should ensure it doesn't repeat its actions in last year's
waterfront dispute when it took a biased approach of targeting unions but no other group.

Senator MURRAY says that in the construction industry, it isn't just a question of the
unions but also of employer and contracting practices, and the problems vary by state.

AAP RTV kaw/jmt

KEYWORD: BUILDING (CANBERRA)

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