My question is to the Minister for Jobs and Innovation, Senator Cash. I refer to a submission to the Fair Work Commission by Hair and Beauty Australia, which argues for the wages of workers in their industry to be cut even when wages are at a record low. Will the Turnbull government be making a submission to the Fair Work Commission to defend the workers in the hair and beauty industry who rely on penalty rates?

The Turnbull government's position in relation to penalty rates is very clear. We have always respected the decision of the independent umpire. It's those on the other side who have a record, as you know, Senator Cameron, when it comes to penalty rates. I only caught glimpses of Sally McManus's speech today at the Press Club, but I have to say it was riddled with hypocrisy, because in relation to penalty rates there is only one person in the parliament who has directly negotiated deals—

Senator Cameron, a point of order?

Yes, on relevance. The question goes to the issue of whether the government will make a submission to defend the workers in the hair and beauty sector. It's not about Sally McManus; it's about defending workers.

Thank you, Senator Cameron. As you know, I can't direct a minister on how to answer a question. You've taken the opportunity to remind the minister of the question you asked. I do the same.

The government, as you know, consistent with all governments, has recently put in a submission to the annual wage review. We provide submissions as required and as appropriate to the Fair Work Commission. In relation to penalty rates, Senator Cameron, I have to say that your hypocrisy is absolutely outstanding, because it is the Leader of the Opposition himself, Mr Bill Shorten, who has sat around a table and directly negotiated away the penalty rates of some of the lowest-paid workers in this country. And it's not as if he actually compensated them. He negotiated away their penalty rates with absolutely no compensation at all, and when you—

Senator Cameron, a point of order?

Mr President, you have reminded the minister of the question: will the government make a submission to defend workers? That's the question.

Senator Cameron, the minister was addressing other terms in your question, including the making of submissions and penalty rates.

I have to say again, the hypocrisy of those on the other side is outstanding. In relation to the decision on penalty rates it was made by (a) Labor's independent umpire under (b) the referral by Bill Shorten to (c) the Fair Work Commission, and its head is an appointment by the former Labor government. So please: when it comes to penalty rates, those of us on this side respect— (Time expired)

Senator Cameron, a supplementary question.

It sounds like no. While this government stands by and does nothing, penalty rates are getting cut. The cost of living continues to go up and up, and wages growth has hit record lows. Why is this government's only plan to help Australians who are struggling with stagnant wages and spiralling costs of living to give companies a $65 billion handout?

Because those of us on this side understand that governments don't create jobs; employers do. The closest that many of you on the other side have ever come to a business is to close it down. Employees need employers, and those of us on this side understand that what governments do is put in place the policy framework under which business can either prosper and grow—400,000 jobs created in the economy under the Turnbull government last year, with 300,000 of them being full-time jobs, versus the last 12 months of the former Labor government, when a fifth of that number of jobs were created. But, colleagues, guess what? It got worse. The economy actually lost full-time jobs. We understand you need to get the economic fundamentals right; you don't. (Time expired)

Senator Cameron, a final supplementary question?

Will the Turnbull government finally commit to protecting Australian workers from a wage cut by supporting Labor's sensible Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Take-Home Pay) Bill?

Given the hypocrisy of those on the other side, what Senator Cameron is referring to could be termed as nothing more and nothing less than a political stunt. When you actually look at members of the Labor Party, they belong to unions, or they are put in here by unions, who have sat around tables, probably just like this, and directly negotiated away the penalty rates of some of the lowest-paid workers in this country. Let me give you some other examples in relation to Mr Shorten: a 2006 agreement for 780 Big W workers in North Queensland. Whoever is from North Queensland, put your hand up! Senator Watt, North Queensland?

Honourable senators interjecting—

Order around the chamber! When I can hear you, Senator Cameron, I'll call you. Senator Watt! Senator Cameron, on a point of order?

On relevance—this was a simple question: will the government commit to protecting Australian workers by supporting Labor's fair work amendment bill?

Senator Macdonald, on the point of order?

It's really a separate point of order. The minister is misleading—

Order! I will rule on this point of order first. Senator Cameron, the question was very broadly framed and the minister is being relevant to it. Senator Macdonald, on another point of order?

The minister is misleading the Senate in saying that anyone from the other side comes from North Queensland. They don't. They all come from Brisbane—

Order, Senator Macdonald. Please resume your seat.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Order, Senator Wong and Senator Macdonald! Yesterday I had a complaint from a member of the press gallery that they couldn't hear proceedings in the chamber. Now, most of—

Honourable senators interjecting—

Order! Order on my left! I might make the observation that in my experience—

Honourable senators interjecting—

Order, Senators Wong and Cameron! It's good to have you back after a day off, Senator Cameron. Senator Farrell! I might make the observation that most senators have tended to want the media to hear what they say. If they can't hear then we're defeating the purpose of question time. I call Senator Cash to continue her answer.

As I was saying, those from Queensland—not from North Queensland, because apparently there are none from North Queensland—would like to know that when Mr Shorten was the AWU leader 780 Big W workers in North Queensland had their penalty rates cut from 200 to 150— (Time expired)