Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
2:57 pm
I move:
That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the Leader of the Opposition from moving the following motion immediately—That the House:
(1) notes that:
(a) on Monday, the Prime Minister refused to guarantee that no worker would be worse off because of his industrial relations changes;
(b) today, the Government has introduced legislation which leaves workers worse off;
(c) at a time when wages are already at record lows, the Prime Minister's changes will mean workers' take-home pay will be cut;
(d) while claiming the economy is going so well that Jobkeeper and JobSeeker can be cut, the Prime Minister is using the pandemic as cover to cut take-home pay;
(e) it's not just businesses who've had a difficult year, workers have too;
(f) nurses, supermarket workers, cleaners, childcare workers, teachers, truck drivers, aged care workers and all the frontline workers in Australia who have kept the nation running during this pandemic are being given a Christmas gift of a pay cut by the Prime Minister; and
(g) this is not the first time the Government has attacked take-home pay; and
(2) therefore, condemns the Prime Minister for using the pandemic to cut the take-home pay of Australian workers.
The fact is that the heroes of the pandemic deserve better than this Scrooge of a Prime Minister. We're introducing legislation—
Tony Smith Speaker
The member will resume his seat. The Leader of the House?
Christian Porter Pearce, Liberal Party, Attorney-General
2:59 pm
I move:
That the member be no longer heard.
Tony Smith Speaker
The question is that the Leader of the Opposition be no further heard.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Arts
I second the motion. This bill is a pay cut for frontline workers in black and white. The heroes of the pandemic—
Tony Smith Speaker
The Manager of Opposition Business will resume his seat. The Leader of the House?
Christian Porter Pearce, Liberal Party, Attorney-General
I move:
That the member no longer be heard.
Tony Smith Speaker
The question is that the Manager of Opposition Business be no further heard.
Richard Marles Corio, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Defence
This Prime Minister is cutting your pay and is—
Christian Porter Pearce, Liberal Party, Attorney-General
I move:
That the question be put.
Tony Smith Speaker
The Leader of the House has moved that the question be put.
Tony Smith Speaker
3:10 pm
The question now is that the motion moved by the Leader of the Opposition be disagreed to.