Shock defeat for government's union-crackdown bill

The Morrison government has seen a shock defeat on industrial relations, with a bill cracking down on unions failing in the Senate despite the government being confident it will pass.

One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson before the vote on the Ensuring Integrity Bill in the Senate. Source: AAP

The Morrison government's union-busting legislation was defeated in the Senate.

One Nation spectacularly opposed it at the final vote despite the government agreeing on all the amendments demanded by the party.

The "ensuring integrity" bill, which would have made it easier to deregister unions and ban officials, was expected to pass on Thursday with Pauline Hanson's support. She and Malcolm Roberts voted against it.