Glenn Lazarus (Queensland, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 786 standing in my name, and also on behalf of Senator Rice, in the terms circulated in the chamber.

Leave granted.

I, and also on behalf of Senator Rice, move the motion as amended:

That the Senate—

(a) notes the manner in which the 97 Australian workers (57 in Sydney and 40 in Brisbane) were sacked by Hutchison Ports Australia on Thursday, 6 August 2015, via text message and email;

(b) expresses concern:

  (i) for the workers, and

  (ii) that the sackings may be in breach of Fair Work laws and legislative instruments;

(c) acknowledges that business practices of this nature are not welcome or considered acceptable behaviour in Australia; and

(d) calls on the Prime Minister (Mr Abbott) and the Minister for Employment (Senator Abetz) to defend Australian jobs, and intervene in this unjust treatment of Australian workers.

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Glenn Lazarus (Queensland, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The people of Australia desperately need to see the government and community leaders get behind Australian jobs for Australian workers. While I appreciate that the Hutchison Ports issue is complex and currently unfolding, it is the role of the government and the parliament to show leadership and to restore competence in our own abilities and capabilities as a nation. We need to stop pandering to everyone else and start putting the interests of Australians first. The Hutchison Ports sackings are atrocious, but sackings like this are happening all over Australia. This is not the business practice we should tolerate nor is it behaviour we should accept. This motion is about sending a strong message to the community that we care about Australian jobs for Australian workers.

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

While the government agrees with the broad sentiment expressed in the motion moved by Senator Lazarus, this matter is currently before the Fair Work Commission with both the employer and the union referring this matter the independent umpire. The commission is in the middle of dealing with the issue. This motion invites the Senate to express a concluded view on matters which are live before the independent Fair Work Commission. The commission is the appropriate independent body to deal with this dispute and it will make whatever decisions it will. This government is concerned to ensure that we continue to build the economy to provide jobs growth and make existing jobs sustainable.

Question agreed to.