Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the minister for joining me to answer the question. I will say two things on the example that's been given. First of all, in terms of the final line, people don't get forced. Either the employer opts in or the workforce vote to be part of an agreement. That's what happens. People don't get compelled in the way that he's just described. Those opposite think the only person at the bargaining table is the employer. That's essentially what's at the heart of this. That's why they can say 'forced'—because they fail to acknowledge the right of the workforce to be able to have a vote as to whether or not they want to be part of something.

But of all the industries about which to come to this House and say, 'Here's an industry where it's outrageous to get pay rises,' he chose horticulture!

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