House debates Questions without Notice
Workplace Relations
Stephen Smith Perth, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Industry, Infrastructure and Industrial Relations
2:52 pm
My question is to the Treasurer and Acting Prime Minister. It follows on from his earlier answer to the Leader of the Opposition. I again refer to the Spotlight AWA, which satisfies the government’s minimum legislative requirements, and in particular to clause 20 of this AWA, which provides:
… this … expressly excludes the operation of protected award … conditions in relation to, incidental to and/or … with respect to:
rest breaks;
incentive-based payments and bonuses;
annual leave loading;
public holidays;
loadings for working overtime or shift work; and
penalty rates, including for work on public holidays …
Does the Acting Prime Minister believe that it is appropriate that the government’s legislation enables these conditions to be sold down the river at the stroke of a pen for the princely sum of 2c?
Peter Costello Higgins, Liberal Party, Treasurer
The Australian government’s Work Choices legislation is based on enabling employers and employees to come to agreements which are in their mutual interests and which are above and beyond the Australian fair pay and conditions standard. What that means is that there is a floor under terms and conditions and, above that floor, employers and employees can negotiate for the advantage of both.
Can I point this out: employees are in a stronger position today than they have been in for at least 30 years, because unemployment is lower today than it has been for the last 30 years. The proof is in the government’s performance. This is a government under which there has been massive job creation. This is a government under which there have been real wage increases. The worst thing that could ever happen for Australian employees is the return of a Labor government.
David Hawker Speaker
The member for Perth has asked his question. Is there a point of order?
Stephen Smith Perth, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Industry, Infrastructure and Industrial Relations
I have another question, Mr Speaker. I assumed you were going to even up.
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Government Members:
Government members interjecting—
Stephen Smith Perth, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Industry, Infrastructure and Industrial Relations
He called me!
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Honourable Members:
Stephen Smith Perth, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Industry, Infrastructure and Industrial Relations
You called me!
David Hawker Speaker
I asked the member for Perth whether he had a point of order.
Stephen Smith Perth, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Industry, Infrastructure and Industrial Relations
I said I had another question. I thought you were evening up.
Stephen Smith Perth, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Industry, Infrastructure and Industrial Relations
In which case, I seek leave to table the princely sum of 2c.
Leave not granted.