Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, upon notice, on 12 June 2012:

With reference to the statement made by the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport (Senator Kim Carr) during question time on Wednesday, 8 February 2012 (Senate Hansard, p. 367):

(1)   Can a definition of 'poverty wages' be provided.

(2)   Does the Minister stand by the statement.

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

I am not aware of any definition of a 'poverty wage'. Senator Carr used the term to refer to a situation where truck drivers are paid at such a low rate that they have to drive long hours to make a living. Increasing their pay would therefore improve road safety by reducing the risk of driving for long periods.