House debates Questions without Notice

Member for Dobell

Tuesday, 22 May 2012 House of Representatives

Christopher Pyne

Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training

3:07 pm

My question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations and Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation. Does the minister have full confidence in the work of Mr Terry Nassios, the principal investigator for Fair Work Australia?

Bill Shorten

Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation

3:08 pm

) ( ): I believe that the report prepared by the delegate for the general manager of Fair Work Australia, Terry Nassios, is a very serious report. It is a report which we have said is disturbing in its findings. I also believe that we owe it to the members of this union to see this process reach its end—which is for the matter to be tested in court. This parliament is not qualified to test and cross-examine these matters—

Mr Dutton interjecting—

Ms Anna Burke

Ms Anna Burke Deputy-Speaker

The member for Dickson, the minister has the call and will be heard in silence.

Bill Shorten

Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation

This government will not be diverted from its process to make sure that the report is concluded and that the matters listed in the report are tested in the court. We owe it to the members of this union to make sure that this matter is concluded properly, not in—

Ms Julie Bishop

Ms Julie Bishop Curtin, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition

Madam Deputy Speaker, I rise on a point of order.

Ms Anna Burke

Ms Anna Burke Deputy-Speaker

The minister has concluded his answer. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will resume her seat.