Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

We are not supporting the Greens amendment. The government considers that a more nuanced approach towards strike pay is required, particularly concerning overtime bans and partial work bans, which is in relation to the removal of the distinction between protected and unprotected industrial action. Also, the government does not support the Greens proposal to remove the requirement that protected industrial action must be in relation to permitted matters. Employers and employees are always free to negotiate about any matter they wish at the workplace, but the government believes that enterprise agreements under workplace relations legislation must remain connected to the employment relationship. We have said that quite clearly and loudly in respect of the Fair Work Bill.