In a major speech on Thursday, the Coalition’s industrial relations spokeswoman Jane Hume delivered a detailed, critical assessment of Australia’s workplace relations landscape.

She also made a couple of relatively small announcements.

A Coalition government would restore a “cop on the beat” for the construction industry. This is a path well trodden.

The Howard government originally set up the Australian Building and Construction Commission, only to have it replaced by the Gillard government. Then the cycle restarted: the Turnbull government re-established it, and the Albanese government scrapped it. Advocates and critics continue to argue over its usefulness.

Hume also said a Coalition government would repeal the law that allows the government, in making contracts, procurements and grants, to give preference to businesses that have union-backed enterprise agreements. It used to be discriminatory to do so and therefore not lawful.

The big question, however, is whether a robust agenda on industrial relations will be part of the policy offering the opposition takes to the 2028 election. Hume’s speech did not provide an answer.

It’s fair to say the Coalition has that question........

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