House debates

Monday, 22 February 2021

Questions without Notice

Workplace Relations

2:20 pm

Photo of Tim WattsTim Watts (Gellibrand, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Communications and Cyber Security) Share this | | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Why isn't the Prime Minister willing to stand up to tech giants like Uber and Deliveroo to stop Australian workers from being paid less than the minimum wage?

Photo of Scott MorrisonScott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

The only party that is represented in this chamber that is proposing a pay cut for workers is the Labor Party. They're the only ones.

Hon. Members:

Honourable members interjecting

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

Members on both sides!

Photo of Scott MorrisonScott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

With the proposals that the Labor party outlined, through the Leader of the Opposition, for mandatory leave applied across all casuals—

Honourable members interjecting

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The Prime Minister will pause. Members will cease interjecting. The members for Goldstein and Mackellar will cease interjecting. The Prime Minister has the call.

Photo of Scott MorrisonScott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

From not thinking their policies through, when the Leader of the Opposition got up to try to explain the Labor party policy—they just don't think it through. The consequence of what the Labor Party is suggesting is a pay cut for people working in these jobs.

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The Prime Minister will resume his seat. The Leader of the Opposition, on a point of order.

Photo of Anthony AlbaneseAnthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | | Hansard source

I was going to pull out the weirdness point of order, Mr Speaker.

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

Well, that one doesn't exist, so I don't know where you were going to find it.

Photo of Anthony AlbaneseAnthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | | Hansard source

I know, but nor does the policy that he's talking about.

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition will resume his seat.

Photo of Anthony AlbaneseAnthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | | Hansard source

He wasn't asked about some fantasy that he's made up—

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition will resume his seat. The Prime Minister has the call.

Photo of Scott MorrisonScott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

I simply say again: the Leader of the Opposition does not understand the implications of his own policies. Labor were like this in government, and they've gotten worse in opposition under this Leader of the Opposition.