House debates Questions without Notice
Workplace Relations
Stephen Smith Perth, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Industry, Infrastructure and Industrial Relations
2:15 pm
My question is to the Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer. Is it not the case that the current certified agreement the Australian Valuation Office has with its employees expires tomorrow? Is it not the case that, of the 105 Australian Valuation Office employees covered by that agreement, the choice of over 90 employees is for a union negotiated certified agreement? Is it not also the case that late last week Australian Valuation Office employees were told by the government that because of the government’s industrial relations changes the only choice now was an AWA and no union? How is that greater choice for the government’s own employees?
Peter Dutton Dickson, Liberal Party, Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer
I thank the member opposite for his question. Having only been in this place just under five years, one thing that I have learned is never to take at face value the word of the Australian Labor Party. Let me provide this undertaking to the House: when I look into the matter and receive the full facts—not the Labor version of the facts—I will respond accordingly. Let me make a more general point. This government has provided more choice for people in this country. The choice they had under Labor was no job or a job; 1.7 million people are into jobs who never had jobs under the Labor Party.
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Opposition Members:
Opposition members interjecting—
Kim Beazley Brand, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
Mr Beazley interjecting
Kim Beazley Brand, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
Mr Beazley interjecting
David Hawker Speaker
The Leader of the Opposition does not have the call. Has the minister completed his answer?
Peter Dutton Dickson, Liberal Party, Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer
Yes.