Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

Returning to one of the Leader of the Opposition's practical demonstrations of how to cut penalty rates—he is an expert at this—indeed, he did not cut them; he totally eliminated them in this case. It was 100 per cent. It was very thorough. It was in 2003, signed for and on behalf of the Australian Workers Union. There is his signature—the signature of the Leader of the Opposition as he now is. In this agreement it sets out the objectives. The hypocrisy is just so typical of the Leader of the Opposition. One of the objectives is to transfer to the new skill level structure, which provides a defined career path for civil construction employees and recognises them for the skills they have obtained and used. The recognition did not extend to penalty rates—oh no! That was all traded away, to the degree that these are the only wages allowable during the period of the agreement, and any other increases to wages or allowances arising, whether by decision of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission or otherwise—so being represented by the Leader of the Opposition meant you would not even get a benefit from a decision of the AIRC. It goes on to say that 'any other increases arising shall not apply to the wage rates of employees employed under this agreement'. Again, it is a comprehensive sweep—the Leader of the Opposition demonstrating his commitment to cutting penalty rates, in this case cutting them entirely.

Mr Champion interjecting—

See this speech in context