House debates
Tuesday, 28 March 2017
Questions without Notice
Workplace Relations
2:30 pm
Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
My question is to the Prime Minister. Today I met with private sector aged-care nurses, including Dely, who is in the gallery today. Her husband Ken works in retail and faces a pay cut because of the Prime Minister's support for cutting penalty rates. Dely is worried that, once they start cutting Sunday penalty rates in some awards, her pay as a nurse could be cut as well. Why isn't the Prime Minister doing everything he can to protect the pay of all working Australians, including Dely and her husband?
Mr Laundy interjecting—
Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
The member for Reid is warned.
Mr Taylor interjecting—
The member for Hume is not far behind him.
Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
That question tells us everything we need to know about the Leader of the Opposition. He knows full well that nurses are employed under state awards. He knows full well that nurses are not covered by the recent decision by the Fair Work Commission. He knows that that decision—
Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
The Prime Minister will resume his seat.
Mr Dutton interjecting—
Mr Pasin interjecting—
The Minister for Immigration and Border Protection and the member for Barker will cease interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition on a point of order and refer him to my previous statements following recent points of order.
Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
Thank you, Mr Speaker. The point of order is relevance. I specifically asked about private sector aged-care nurses, who are covered by federal awards. Get your facts right!
Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
The Leader of the Opposition will resume his seat. The Prime Minister has the call.
Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
The decision of the Fair Work Commission applies to workers in the retail, hospitality and fast-food areas. It does not apply to nurses. The honourable member knows very well that it does not apply to nurses. It applies only to those sectors covered by the decision. What he and his colleagues have been endeavouring to do is, as usual, mislead and frighten Australians with their untruths.
Mr Keogh interjecting—
This is post-truth politics with a vengeance, utterly heedless of the truth, having no regard for the facts and determined to frighten and scare Australians. Anything they can do in their desperation to frighten and mislead Australians, they will reach at.
Mr Fletcher interjecting—
We are standing up for Australian businesses and Australian workers. We are providing the support for the investment and the jobs that they deserve. Labor is standing in the way with one untruth after another.
Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
The member for Burt and the member for Brand are warned.