House debates Questions without Notice
Workplace Relations
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
2:45 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. Is the Prime Minister seriously refusing to rule out pay cuts for AFP officers, including his own protection detail, for working late nights and weekends?
Michael McCormack Riverina, National Party, Minister for Small Business
How are the Clean Event workers going?
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
2:46 pm
The Minister for Justice and I have dealt with this matter. Our commitment to the AFP is without precedent in the history of Australian governments. We have provided more support to our police and security agencies than any predecessor government and we do so because they keep us safe. The Labor Party's determination to mislead Australians, we just saw it a moment ago with respect to nurses and the Fair Work Commission decision. I note the remarks of the Fair Work Commission itself, at paragraph 81:
Given the distinguishing characteristics of the Hospitality and Retail sectors, the decisions we have made in respect of the Hospitality and Retail Awards provide no warrant for the variation of penalty rates in other modern awards.
That is what the Fair Work Commission said. What the Labor Party want to do is suggest that that decision applies to nurses, to emergency workers and to police. That is completely untrue and has no basis in facts, but why would they care?
Ms O'Neil interjecting—
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
They have no interest in the facts and no interest in the truth; they are interested only in misleading and frightening Australians. That is the depth the Labor Party has fallen to.