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

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) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, you are wrong. I just make this point: when it comes to policy in relation to industrial relations—

Honourable Members:

Honourable members interjecting—

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

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) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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)) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Stop hiding behind your Weeties box and answer the question!

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

Order!

Graham Edwards (Cowan, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary (Defence and Veterans' Affairs)) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You don’t know!

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

The member for Cowan!

Graham Edwards (Cowan, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary (Defence and Veterans' Affairs)) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What’s the answer?

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

The member for Cowan is warned!

Dick Adams (Lyons, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Adams interjecting

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

And so is the member for Lyons!

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

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.