House debates Questions without Notice
Workplace Relations
Julia Gillard Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition
3:04 pm
My question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. I refer to the document released by the government last Friday called A stronger safety net for working Australians and I quote the following from it:
The Fairness Test will apply to all workplace agreements lodged on or after 7 May 2007. Employers and employees who are currently making an agreement will therefore need to be conscious of the Fairness Test ...
I also refer to the full-page advertisements of the government last weekend, which state:
The Fairness Test will apply to agreements lodged on or after 7 May 2007.
Minister, are these advertisements and this document wrong or were you just wrong when you answered my last question?
Joe Hockey North Sydney, Liberal Party, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service
No, you are wrong. I just make this point: when it comes to policy in relation to industrial relations—
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Honourable Members:
David Hawker Speaker
Order! The minister has the call and I remind the minister that he will address his remarks through the chair.
Joe Hockey North Sydney, Liberal Party, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service
I am sorry, Mr Speaker. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is wrong. When it comes to industrial relations policy, it is vitally important that you actually consult the people—
Graham Edwards Cowan, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary (Defence and Veterans' Affairs)
Stop hiding behind your Weeties box and answer the question!
Graham Edwards Cowan, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary (Defence and Veterans' Affairs)
You don’t know!
Graham Edwards Cowan, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary (Defence and Veterans' Affairs)
What’s the answer?
Joe Hockey North Sydney, Liberal Party, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service
When it comes to industrial relations policy, I would like to give the Deputy Leader of the Opposition a bit of a tip: I think you should consult the business community before you release a policy. I think that is a good idea, because it is business that employs Australians, not the union movement.