Abetz quizzed on Hutchison ports dispute

Federal Employment Minister Eric Abetz says text messages and emails are the preferred method of communicating in an agreement between maritime workers and port company Hutchison.

Senator Abetz was asked in parliament on Monday whether he supported the right of Hutchison, which is in a dispute with port workers, to sack employees via a late night text message last Thursday.

The minister said the company and workers should "treat each other with respect and due consideration", but noted the Hutchison enterprise bargaining agreement suggested email and texts as the preferred communication method.