Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is again to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. Minister, isn’t it a fact that the government received this taxpayer funded opinion polling and research report, which I have here, from The Open Mind Research Group on 24 April 2007? Minister, isn’t it also a fact that the government announced its pre-election changes to its industrial relations laws on 4 May? Minister, isn’t it a fact that the government’s views haven’t changed—just the opinion polling?

Joe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I cannot comment on a document I have not seen.

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Ms Gillard interjecting

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

Order! The minister has the call. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition has asked her question.

Joe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

But if we are to be criticised for listening to the Australian people then we plead guilty. It is a shame the Labor Party does not listen to the Australian people. It is a shame that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition only consults with Greg Combet and not with Rod Eddington.

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Ms Gillard interjecting

Joe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Where is Rod Eddington in all of the Labor Party’s musings? If the Labor Party consulted people like Rod Eddington, they would know that their industrial relations policy is bad for business and bad for the economy. So I would urge the Labor Party to consult the Australian people and also to give Rod a call.