In its final push to have new workplace laws passed, the federal government is using analysis showing more than $100 billion worth of projects have been disrupted by construction union lawlessness.
Employment Minister Michaelia Cash says the CFMEU has been found guilty of workplace law breaches on projects worth $78 billion and is facing the courts for alleged breaches on projects worth $25 billion.
"The list of projects affected by CFMEU lawlessness is simply staggering -- everything from major gas export projects, to major road and rail projects, to children's hospitals, schools, social housing and community facilities,'' she told The Australian, ahead of a vote on legislation to restore a building industry watchdog on Tuesday.
The government hopes to pass legislation for the Australian Building and Construction Commission in the final sitting fortnight, having used it as part of the trigger for the July double-dissolution election.
But CFMEU national secretary Dave Noonan says Senator Cash had not shown how the union's misconduct had led to delays or cost increases.
The government was using a "silly statistic" to deflect from their lies, he told the paper.
Crossbench senators are seeking amendments in exchange for their support, in addition to changes to the other bill to establish a Registered Organisations Commission.
Labor's workplace relations spokesman Brendan O'Connor sat down with Senator Cash for the first time since the election on Sunday afternoon.
"We have yet to find common ground sufficiently for us to be able to support the bill," he told ABC radio, of the registered organisations commission (ROC) legislation.
The opposition is seeking a range of amendments including letting ASIC be the regulator, exempting volunteers, better protection for whistleblowers and having the same donation disclosure thresholds for candidates in unions and MPs.
Liberal Democrat David Leyonhjelm, who plans to back the ROC, says he has been acting as a "go-between" between the two parties.
The government's deputy leader in the Senate Mathias Cormann says the coalition isn't taking anything for granted.
"But we're quietly confident that there is the necessary support for these very important reforms," he told ABC radio.
