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ABCC demands exchanged for liberties: ALP

Federal Labor says new commonwealth procurement rules are good but they come at the expense of civil liberties in restoring a building industry watchdog.

File image of Labor leader Bill Shorten

File image of Labor leader Bill Shorten Source: AAP

Labor has welcomed new measures to give Australian business an advantage in bidding for taxpayer-funded projects, but warns they come at the expense of losing other civil liberties.

The federal government gave in to a demand by Senator Nick Xenophon late on Tuesday night, by announcing new commonwealth procurement rules in exchange for his support for restoring a building industry watchdog.

Opposition industry spokesman Kim Carr said the change was very good, but told ABC radio on Wednesday: "Why does that have to come at the price of the civil liberties of other Australians?"


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Source: AAP


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