Fatima Payman (WA, Australia's Voice) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek to leave amend business of the Senate notice of motion No. 2.

Leave granted.

I move the motion as amended:

That the following matter be referred to the Education and Employment References Committee for inquiry and report by 18 June 2026:

The extent to which the wage theft framework under the Fair Work Act 2009, and the operation of subsection 327A(1), has led to a decrease in the incidence of wage theft in Australia, and any other related matter.

Matt O'Sullivan (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Choice in Childcare and Early Learning) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Matt O'Sullivan (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Choice in Childcare and Early Learning) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The coalition will be supporting this motion. While there is a current separate statutory inquiry being conducted, it will not have the capacity to provide the level of public scrutiny or access of a parliamentary process, and the opposition believe that, to guarantee transparency of the review of these provisions, a parliamentary process is necessary. We thank the minister and her office for providing information in relation to this matter.

Jess Walsh (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Early Childhood Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jess Walsh (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Early Childhood Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government will be opposing this motion. While we support its intent, an independent review of the operation of wage theft provisions is already underway. The two closing loopholes acts require the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations to cause a review to be conducted of the operation of the amendments made by these acts, including part 14, which sets out protections against wage theft. The closing loopholes review commenced on 15 December 2025, with the final report to be delivered to the minister on or before 15 June 2026. The legislation required the minister to table the report in the house of the parliament within 15 sitting days after the minister received it. Former fair work commissioner Ms Susan Booth has been appointed to conduct the review.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that business of the Senate No. 2 standing in the name of Senator Payman, as amended, be agreed to.