January 20, 2014. Minister for Employment Senator Eric Abetz today called on Opposition Leader Bill Shorten to support job creating policies including abolishing the carbon and mining taxes and re-establishing the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC).


Senator Abetz said if Mr Shorten was serious about jobs creation he would demonstrate that by supporting Coalition policies.


“The carbon and mining taxes as well as the absence of law and order from the building and construction sector are discouraging the kind of economic activity that we desperately need to create jobs and build a more strong and prosperous economy,” Senator Abetz said.


The re-establishment of the ABCC is aimed at stamping out lawlessness, improving productivity on building sites and creating jobs.


“As Employment Minister Mr Shorten promised that Labor would create half a million new jobs over two years from 2011 - the ALP did not meet that target.


“So far, on the basis of the voting record of the Labor-Green alliance in the Senate, Mr Shorten’s position is that he does not believe Labor needs to change any of the disastrous policies to which it clung in Government.


“Mr Shorten obviously believes that Australia should still have a carbon tax and a failed mining tax.”


Senator Abetz also called on the Opposition leader to assess the impact that dodgy union bosses have had on jobs creation.


“Mr Shorten has an opportunity to break away from his time as the most partisan Employment Minister in Australia’s history and support job creating policies – it’s up to him whether he lives up to his word or continues to support job destroying policies,” Senator Abetz said.