House debates Questions without Notice
Workplace Relations
Kate Ellis Adelaide, Australian Labor Party
2:43 pm
My question is also to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations and follows from his answer about young people in our workplaces. Minister, if a young worker under 18 is given an AWA and waives their access to the AWA information statement, do their parents get access to this information statement? Minister, if parental consent is needed for the AWA, should this important information be given to their parents?
Joe Hockey North Sydney, Liberal Party, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service
I note the question from the member for Adelaide. In 1996 the unemployment rate in Adelaide was 10.8 per cent. Today it is 5.6 per cent.
Kim Beazley Brand, Australian Labor Party
Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order obviously on relevance.
David Hawker Speaker
The member for Brand does raise a relevant point of order, but I would add that the minister has only just begun his answer and I am sure he will come to the question.
Joe Hockey North Sydney, Liberal Party, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service
Anyone under the age of 18 who is signing an AWA requires the consent of a parent. That is the answer. The unemployment rate in Adelaide has dropped from 10.8 per cent to 5.6 per cent.
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the House
Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. If the minister does not know about the operation of his own act, he should just say so.
David Hawker Speaker
That is not a point of order. The member for Grayndler will not debate points.