House debates Questions without Notice
Workplace Relations
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Arts
2:26 pm
My question is to the Minister for Industrial Relations. The minister says that paying at least the minimum wage to every worker is complicated. What exactly is complicated about workers being paid at least the minimum wage?
Christian Porter Pearce, Liberal Party, Attorney-General
2:27 pm
Minimum wage applies. There should never be any excuse and it's unlawful to not pay the minimum wage. That is a very well-known principle. If the member is asking questions about people to whom the minimum wage doesn't apply, I'm sure he would be able to clarify that in a further question.