Stephen Smith (Perth, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Industry, Infrastructure and Industrial Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is again to the Treasurer and Acting Prime Minister. I again refer to the Spotlight AWA, which satisfies the government’s minimum legislative standards. I refer to a full-time adult employee, who under the Spotlight AWA will work a roster including Thursday night finishing at 9 pm and a seven-hour shift on a Saturday and Sunday. Isn’t it the case that this employee will be paid around $90 less than a fellow employee on the award?

Peter Costello (Higgins, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, I do not accept for a moment the proposition that is put forward by the honourable member. As I said earlier, under the government’s industrial relations reforms we have the Australian Fair Pay Commission standard and we have the opportunity for employers and employees to come to agreements. It will be a system which is in the interests of employers and employees. This government stands for 1.7 million jobs, unlike the Labor Party. This government stands for real wages and real wage increases, unlike the Labor Party. We know that the member for Perth has been instructed by the trade union movement to lift his game. We know that he is under threat of being moved—

Kim Beazley (Brand, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I raise a point of order. A very explicit question was asked.

Peter Costello (Higgins, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Costello interjecting

Kim Beazley (Brand, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You have finished, have you? Terrific! A very explicit question was asked of him. He routinely evades them.

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition has made his point.