CANBERRA, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government has renewed its commitment to crackdown on law-breaking trade unions and officials.
Angus Taylor, minister for energy and emissions reduction, has confirmed that the Liberal National Party (LNP) Coalition would use its increased majority following election victory on My 18 to reintroduce its failed Ensuring Integrity Bill.
It comes as John Setka, leader of the Victorian arm of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMMEU), faces intense pressure to resign over comments he reportedly made about former Australian of the Year Rosie Batty.
It was alleged that Setka said the rise to prominence of Batty, a domestic violence campaigner whose 11-year-old son Luke was murdered by his father in 2014, has led to men having fewer rights.
Setka has denied making the comments and on Wednesday declared he would not quit the union.
"It's possible, although it appears at this point not likely, that John Setka may leave the CFMEU - but there are many more union thugs where he came from," Taylor told reporters in Canberra.
He called on Anthony Albanese, leader of the opposition Australian Labor Party (ALP) who has terminated Setka's party membership, to support the legislation.
If passed by parliament, the Ensuring Integrity Bill would give the government the power to de-register unions that break the law and ban officials for misconduct.