CFMEU anti-China-deal phone blitz in Canberra 'backfires', says Liberal senator
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Version 0 of 1. Liberal senator Zed Seselja has condemned the CFMEU construction union for phoning Canberra residents as part of a campaign against the Chinese free trade deal and the use of overseas workers.Seselja said the CFMEU organised to have a pre-recorded telephone message left for thousands of Canberra households on Tuesday night urging residents to call him about the free trade deal and its impact on local jobs.Seselja has issued a statement accusing the union of trying to create a distraction from this week’s hearings involving the CFMEU at the royal commission into trade union corruption. But he said it was backfiring as he had had many complaints about the union’s tactics. The message is linked to the union’s recent television advertisement, accusing the Abbott government of allowing Chinese companies to bring their own workers into Australia.Its tag line is: “Tony Abbott made a choice. He just didn’t choose you.” Seselja said, “The CFMEU are spreading xenophobic lies about overseas workers and are ignoring the facts. Today I have had numerous complaints from concerned citizens about the rude and aggressive tactics of the unions.” Seselja urged residents to contact the Australian communications and media authority (Acma) if they suspected the CFMEU had ignored the “do not call” register. The senator’s brother, Zvonimir Seselja, a construction company employee, is one of 40 witnesses due to appear during the three-week commission sitting. |