Mrs TINA AYYAD (Holsworthy) (11:36): My question is directed to the Minister for Building. Building approval levels are at a 12-year low under the Minns Labor Government. Are builders in New South Wales being scared off by the CFMEU's corrupt activities, which union officials describe as "the cost of doing business"?
Mr Paul Scully: Maybe if your husband sped up the approval times, things could get built—worst approval times in the country!
The SPEAKER: The member for Holsworthy will resume her seat. Members of the Government frontbench will come to order. The interjection was not necessary and was out of order.
Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG (Macquarie Fields—Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, Minister for Building, and Minister for Corrections) (11:37): I thank the member for Holsworthy for her question. Of course we all know of the cost pressures in the building industry at the moment. The macro factors are known to all and sundry. As I said yesterday—in case the members opposite did not hear, I will make this clear again—the Minns Labor Government will not tolerate any threats, bullying or intimidation on any building site, in any workplace, anywhere.
The SPEAKER: The member for Wahroonga will come to order.
Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG: All members are of course troubled by reports over the last couple of months. That is why the Government has taken quick and decisive action to move to suspend the CFMEU's construction branch from affiliation with the NSW Labor Party. It has asked the Fair Work Ombudsman to review the enterprise bargaining agreements in New South Wales and referred all allegations of inappropriate behaviour—
Ms Kellie Sloane: Point of order—
The SPEAKER: The member for Vaucluse has a point of order. The Minister will resume his seat.
Ms Kellie Sloane: My point of order is under Standing Order 129, direct relevance. The question was on the correlation between the CFMEU and 12-year lows in building approvals, which the Minister has not answered.
The SPEAKER: It would be very difficult to uphold that point of order. The member for Wollongong will calm down. The Minister will complete his answer.
Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG: As I said, we are taking decisive action. My colleague the Minister for Industrial Relations is bringing forward strong legislation to ensure that the issues raised in the media about the CFMEU are dealt with quickly and decisively. Will the Opposition come out and support what we are doing? We talk about the involvement of the CFMEU and building approvals in the past 12 years. I noticed as I did a bit of research that there has been some consultation between the CFMEU and certain members of the House. I wonder who those members could be.
Mr Jihad Dib: I'm intrigued.
Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG: I am intrigued too. The Leader of the Nationals, and member for Dubbo met with the CFMEU not once, not twice but three times. What did they speak about?
Ms Kellie Sloane: Point of order—
The SPEAKER: Members will come to order.
Ms Kellie Sloane: Under Standing Order 52, I have the right to approach without harassment from members opposite. The second standing order—
The SPEAKER: It is a moot point. Time has expired. I will not hear further on the point of order. I call the member for Dubbo to order for the third time.
