Senate debates

Wednesday, 27 August 2025

Bills

Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Penalty and Overtime Rates) Bill 2025; In Committee

5:56 pm

Photo of Maria KovacicMaria Kovacic (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

I think it may change based on the potential retrospectivity of the bill. Given it can take a small business somewhere between six to 12 months to negotiate an enterprise agreement and the cost of that is somewhere between $30,000 and $70,000, does the government consider that to be an affordable and reasonable pathway for flexibility for a small business and their employees? It's fine if you're a large retailer, a major bank or a large institution, but, if you're the local cafe, retail shop, vet, dentist or any small business that is relied on for people's day-to-day needs outside of major institutions, is that fair? Is that reasonable and affordable in your view?

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