Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Childcare and Early Childhood Learning) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I move opposition amendments (1) and (2):

(1) Clause 23, page 20 (line 8), after 'that employment', insert ', up to a maximum of 16 weeks' pay'.

(2) Clause 23, page 20 (line 11), after 'employer', insert 'and the 16 weeks' maximum in subparagraph (i) has not been reached'.

In speaking very briefly, I would like to refer the House to my remarks made during the second reading stage of the bill. I note that the coalition is now moving an amendment to include a cap on the redundancy payout captured in this bill at 16 weeks, which I note is in line with Labor's Fair Work Act. Ultimately, we believe that, as the taxpayer has to bear the cost of these payments, it is most important that we keep these at a limit that is in line with community expectation. As noted by the minister, the bill actually enshrines in legislation a redundancy package, calculated at four weeks per year of service, which would, we believe, set a new high bar that union bosses could use as a new high bar in enterprise bargaining. The coalition maintains its fiscal prudence—its cautious approach—and we will keep the redundancy package as it is under GEERS now, in line with community expectations and capped at 16 weeks.

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