House debates

Tuesday, 22 November 2022

Questions without Notice

Workplace Relations

1:59 pm

Photo of Sussan LeySussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Small Business. How much will small businesses have to pay to participate in multi-employer bargaining according to the specific modelling contained in the government's own regulatory impact statement?

2:00 pm

Photo of Julie CollinsJulie Collins (Franklin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Small Business) Share this | | Hansard source

I thank the member for her question. I assume that she's referring to the regulatory impact statement that has been prepared for the bill. As she would know, small businesses already incur costs when they try and enter the bargaining system. She would also know, of course, that many small businesses are actually represented by an employer organisation—

Photo of Peter DuttonPeter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | | Hansard source

How much is the figure?

Photo of Julie CollinsJulie Collins (Franklin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Small Business) Share this | | Hansard source

and that reduces their costs.

Photo of Milton DickMilton Dick (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition will cease interjecting.

Photo of Julie CollinsJulie Collins (Franklin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Small Business) Share this | | Hansard source

What we know is that small businesses will be supported by the Fair Work Commission through the bargaining process.

Honourable members interjecting

Photo of Milton DickMilton Dick (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

Order! The minister will resume her seat. There is far too much noise. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition was heard in silence, and the minister will be heard in silence. I give the call to the deputy leader on a point of order.

Photo of Sussan LeySussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | | Hansard source

A point of order on relevance. My question asked: how much, under the government's own regulatory impact statement, extra would small businesses have to pay?

Photo of Milton DickMilton Dick (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

You may resume your seat. I will hear from the Leader of the House.

Photo of Mr Tony BurkeMr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, two points, one on the direct-relevance point of order that was just taken: the question that was just stated was a different phrasing to the question that was asked. Secondly, the immediate shouting while the minister is here, from the Leader of the Opposition, is just off the charts at the moment.

Honourable members interjecting

Photo of Milton DickMilton Dick (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

Order! There is far too much noise. I appreciate the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is entitled to make a point of order. You're not entitled to then add extra things into the question. The minister should be heard in silence. This is the first question. I'm asking the House to come to order. The minister is in order. She was referring directly to what she was asked about, and she's concluded her answer. I give the call to the Manager of Opposition Business.

Photo of Paul FletcherPaul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Government Services and the Digital Economy) Share this | | Hansard source

I seek leave to table page 53 of the regulatory impact statement, which says that the cost to small businesses is $14,638 if they are dragged into this compulsory process.

Honourable members interjecting

Photo of Milton DickMilton Dick (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

Order! The Leader of the Nationals is not helping. I give the call to the Leader of the House. Is leave granted?

Photo of Mr Tony BurkeMr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, he might not realise it's already a public document, so therefore it doesn't need to be tabled. Leave's not granted.

Photo of Milton DickMilton Dick (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The Manager will resume his seat. The Leader will resume his seat. The House will come to order so I can hear from the member for Macquarie.