Labor Bill attacks workers’ freedom of choice

The Nationals' Member for Mildura and Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs, Jade Benham has criticised the Carroll Labor Government's Associations Incorporation Reform Amendment Bill 2026 as having nothing to do with protecting workers and everything to do with protecting Labor's union donors from competition.

Speaking on the Bill in Parliament, Ms Benham said Labor had bundled two completely separate issues into one piece of legislation.

The Bill seeks to change the rules for incorporated associations with an industrial relations purpose while also introducing provisions dealing with terrorist and prohibited hate organisations.

"This Bill puts legitimate organisations representing Victorian workers in the same legislation as terrorist and prohibited hate organisations," Ms Benham said.

"If the Government has identified a genuine gap in Victorian law around extremist organisations, it should bring a separate Bill to Parliament and deal with that issue on its merits."

Ms Benham said workers should be free to choose who represents them, including organisations offering different fees, services, bargaining strategies or political independence.

The Government has also failed to provide proper transparency about which organisations will be affected by the changes or who was consulted before the legislation was introduced.

"That is especially concerning when the Bill could disadvantage organisations competing with established unions that have longstanding links to the Labor Party," Ms Benham said.

As Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs, Ms Benham said the Government's argument about protecting workers did not justify removing competition.

"If an organisation is misleading workers about what it is or what it can provide, deal with that under consumer protection laws.