Paul Sattler is an ETU apprentice who has previously featured in the ETU News. He lives in Werribee.

ETU News: Will you be voting for the prime minister, Julia Gillard?

Paul Sattler: One of the reasons I won’t be voting for Julia Gillard is because of her support for the ABCC. Labor made commitments on industrial relations and have faltered on those. I’ve been doing a bit of reading about it and how it’s in breach of International Labour Organization resolutions. If we can’t bring our standards up to that, then I won’t be supporting the ALP.

ETU News: Is Julia Gillard a good local member?

Paul: People I speak to say she’s often out and about in the electorate. But there’s a difference between being seen and doing the right thing by voters and workers.

ETU News: How does she compare with Kevin Rudd?

Paul: I think she’s definitely more of a people person. She’ll listen to people a lot more whereas Rudd was a one man band.

ETU News: Does it matter that she’s the first female prime minister?

Paul: Some people are making a lot of it but it really doesn’t matter to me. All that matters is that she does the job. I don’t think construction workers or blokes in our own male dominated electrical industry have a problem with a woman PM. We just want her to act in a way that’s fair and just.

ETU News: Do you have any thoughts about Tony Abbott?

Paul: I just think he blows a lot of smoke. I don’t think he’s right for the job, so they’ll lose the election. He hasn’t said anything for himself. It’s always in response to what Labor is doing. Maybe when he starts saying things for himself or coming up with new ideas off his own bat he’ll get more support.

ETU News: What did you make of the mining tax debate?

Paul: Some of what the ALP said is right. The mining companies are digging up minerals that belong to the people but Twiggy Forrest has come out and said they are prepared to pay more, just not as much as Rudd was chasing.

ETU News: So you’re not that critical of the miners?

Paul: No, not really. Of course if they pay more tax we’re happy to take it. But if someone is successful in a business they shouldn’t be penalised. I think what Rudd wanted to take was a bit extravagant.

ETU News: What are the challenges for the ETU and its members?

Paul: The most important thing for me is getting rid of the ABCC.

ETU News: So many members make this point that it’s impossible not to ask why you’re so passionate about the ABCC.

Paul: As a worker dealing with the ABCC I have less rights than a murderer. I can’t even talk to my wife about being interrogated by the ABCC and if I refuse to speak to them I can go to gaol. We listen to what the union says about the ABCC but we’re not brainwashed. There’s just a general consensus on worksites that we’ve lost our rights. I haven’t found a worker who supports the ABCC in any way, shape or form.

ETU News: What will you do on election day?

Paul: The Greens sound good on IR policy so I’ll probably vote Green in the Senate. I will probably cast a protest vote in the House of Reps. If that means voting for a progressive independent or a Green standing against Julia Gillard who makes a commitment to abolishing the ABCC, so be it.