House debates Questions without Notice
Workplace Relations
Kim Beazley Brand, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
2:52 pm
My question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. If, as the minister asserts to the House today, his laws make Australians better off, can he now guarantee that no individual Australian worker will be worse off as a result of these laws?
Kevin Andrews Menzies, Liberal Party, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service
Dear me, if that is the best he can do. The 165,000 Australians who have got jobs in the last eight months are certainly better off. Under the Leader of the Opposition, when he was last responsible for employment in this country, the unemployment rate was in double digits.
Kim Beazley Brand, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I asked about one thing only and that was that guarantee.
David Hawker Speaker
I have not even called the Leader of the Opposition. Does the Leader of the Opposition have a point of order?
Kim Beazley Brand, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
Yes. My point of order goes to relevance.
David Hawker Speaker
The minister is certainly in order. He was asked a question about being better or worse off. I believe he is answering the question.
Kevin Andrews Menzies, Liberal Party, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service
In terms of any guarantee, the Australian people look at the record of political parties. Let us look at the contrast between the political parties. When the Leader of the Opposition was last the minister for employment, it is interesting—
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the House
Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Pursuant to standing order 104, the question was very simple and asked for a guarantee that no individual worker will be worse off. It was very simple, Mr Speaker.
David Hawker Speaker
The member for Grayndler will resume his seat. The minister is answering the question.
Kevin Andrews Menzies, Liberal Party, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service
When the Leader of the Opposition was last responsible for employment—
Kevin Andrews Menzies, Liberal Party, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service
It is interesting that, even when he asked the question of me, he could not use the word ‘employment’—and why? Because, when he was last responsible for employment—or, indeed, unemployment—in Australia, he said that this was the job he had the least interest in and it was a job that he gave up on. That is the record of this weak Leader of the Opposition. I tell you what cannot be guaranteed: who will be the Leader of the Opposition next week.