George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

The problem with your question, Senator Urquhart, is that is not what I was asked. You asserted, and others among you, including Senator Cameron, asserted, that the government had recommended or argued that there ought to be a pay cut, and it did no such thing. You know it did no such thing, Senator Urquhart, but it did not stop you from making a false claim to the contrary. It is the case that the government supports the independence of the Fair Work Commission and, therefore, supports every determination of the Fair Work Commission, because if you support the independence of a court, a tribunal or an arbitral body of course you uphold its decisions. That is what the government has done. That is what the Prime Minister said. But that is not what you put to me yesterday.