Amanda Rishworth
Kingston · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“He contacted my office to let me know that this will make a huge difference to him and other young people in the retail workspace who now feel they can get ahead and start saving for a home. Tax cuts are also coming in on 1 July.”
“Of course, the Labor Party is the party of superannuation. We firmly believe that superannuation enables people to save for their retirement. It is a very important reform.”
“Yesterday was 1 July, and this was a really important day where a lot of cost-of-living help was provided by this government. Starting from 1 July, I'm really very pleased that workers that rely on the national minimum wage and national minimum award wages will have seen a boost to their wages.”
“We know that this government is backing not only a minimum wage rise but also tax cuts for workers. This government is delivering a fairer tax system for hardworking Australians. From today, over 14 million taxpayers will get a tax cut delivered by this Labor government.”
“I'd like to thank the member for Moreton for her question and for her years and years of standing up for working Australians in this place and before she came here. This Albanese Labor government is delivering real change for Australians with a range of cost-of-living measures coming in from today.”
“Our commitment to boost the minimum wage has been welcomed by workers like Bianca. Bianca is a retail worker, and she said, 'Getting this pay rise helps those in less fortunate situations like me.' This pay rise means that Raj, a support worker, can afford to buy a new bike for his son, which he has been asking for.”
The complete record
Every one of 357 lines we hold for Amanda Rishworth, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 6 of 8.
“So thank you to Noah Beckham, Lily Waltham, Lachie Byrne, Lorraine Christalee, Oliver Shepherd-Bailey and Saxa McDonald. We had over 300 volunteers who came out, packed shopping centre bags and worked on prepolling days. But I did want to particularly give a shout-out to Kylie and Alistair Douglas, Jono Gauci, Jim Phillips, Chrissy Slater, Sally Hand, John Naylor, Bill and Maxine Watson, Naomi Piper, Bridie Ward, Georgina Walk and Jess Zilly—all did a huge amount of work. I would like to give a big shout-out to the many who, in addition to supporting me as minister, helped in my campaign: Lanai Scarr, Phil Nigg, Kate Coleman, Jaimee Hunt, Kirsty Johnson, Leesa Markussen, Jack Loader, Drina Velidka, Marie Goodnick, Ruth Albertson Kill, Rosie Lenty, Genevieve Scarf, Jordon O'Reilly and Louis Gordon.”
“We know there are times when people are quite distressed emotionally and feeling like they need some support right there and then, and a walk-in Medicare mental health clinic will do just that. I did want to use the remaining time I had to say some thankyous. There have been a lot of people who have worked very hard, including my ministerial office who worked through the last term and was headed up by Owen Torpy. He's decided to look for other opportunities now, but I couldn't have done what I did in that last term without his absolute commitment. We really were a team, and I really appreciate everything that they did. I had a huge campaign team, who gave up their weekends and weeknights and were really committed to seeing me get re-elected.”
“Ensuring you are able to access a universal healthcare system is something I think our country can be very proud of. It's something I actually spoke about in my first speech in this place. The healthcare commitments we've made, particularly in this election, will have a big impact on my electorate, whether that's the tripling of the bulk-billing incentive, which will encourage many more doctors to bulk-bill; the extra funding for our very busy urgent care clinic at Morphett Vale—and a shout-out to everyone who works there; this urgent care clinic is doing amazing work—or the commitment to a walk-in mental health urgent care clinic in the southern suburbs of Adelaide.”
“In my electorate, further out in the suburbs, the Noarlunga TAFE campus had become a little less populated and not as vibrant as it had been. That was until free TAFE came along. What free TAFE has done was not only unlocked the opportunity for so many people to either train for the first time or retrain but unlocked the ability to do so close to home at Noarlunga TAFE. I visited there, and, in areas where construction had been done and which had been vacant for a long time, I saw students training there again. It is so heartening to hear stories as we see more and more students attracted back to that TAFE campus, getting the opportunity for the first time. Making sure that opportunity is close to home is so critically important. In addition, I did want to talk about health care. Health care is so important.”
“We will continue to deliver in this portfolio on our election commitments to workplace relations. But also, importantly, there will be new challenges coming at us. There is, for example, artificial intelligence and its opportunities but also its challenges that we must grapple with. So I think there is still a lot of work to be done. For me, getting back to what the election was fought on, there was a very clear message from my electorate. They wanted us to talk about things that would make a practical difference to their lives, whether that was a tax cut for every taxpayer, energy bill relief, cheaper medicines or a cut to student debt. I heard over and over from young people, and also older people who still had a debt, about just how important that student debt policy was. I did want to talk about free TAFE, in particular, though.”
“Now in this new term, I am absolutely honoured to have been appointed Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. Of course, part of this work continues some of the work that I did in social services to make sure that Australians have the opportunity to obtain and retain a well-paid job. I think it is really critical to acknowledge the work that was done by the now minister for home affairs and Senator Watt for the work that they did in laying a very strong foundation to get wages moving in this country and to work on secure jobs. Some of the work that has been done, that we will continue working on, is a world first in minimum standards for employee-like work. Other countries are looking to us. We have set a pathway to make sure gig economy workers actually get a minimum standards safety net. I think that's really important.”
“The document itself drives Commonwealth investments and state and territory investment and really gives us a framework in which we can end violence against women and children. We've got a long way to go, and I remain absolutely committed to that goal along with, I'm sure, everyone across the parliament. Of course, we expanded and strengthened paid parental leave, paying superannuation on it for the first time. We boosted social safety increases, including JobSeeker, the single parenting payment and Commonwealth rent assistance. They were some—I can't go into all—of the work that we did, and I would like to thank all of my ministerial staff, who worked so diligently on ensuring that we could get the best for people. They really were passionate and believed in what we were doing, and I'd like to thank them very much.”
“I would particularly like to say that the reform we did in disability employment services, which will now come into effect as Inclusive Employment Australia, is a really important reform to ensure that people with disability do get the opportunity for economic empowerment to get a job and to make sure that the service system was not trying to make them change but responded to their individual needs to make sure they were working with employers to deliver better outcomes. I heard over and over again from people with disability that they did want the opportunity but no-one was giving them that chance. I'm very proud of the disability reform we did. There was also our National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children. That was work we put in to make sure we could really have a common anchor to guide us all.”
“I think that everyone—certainly me—decided to enter into politics to ensure that everyone could reach their full potential, that we could as government allow everyone to try and reach their full potential, that we could put the supports in place to ensure everyone got that enabling opportunity, whether that was education or healthcare, to allow them to really do the best they can. I think that really is a critical motivation. Therefore, I'm really proud that, in our first term of government, particularly in my role as Minister for Social Services, we were able to do some really important work to ensure that we did better for people.”
“I think we are very blessed to have a new member for Sturt join us as well as a new senator in Senator Charlotte Walker. They join other representatives from South Australia: the member for Boothby, the member for Adelaide, the member for Hindmarsh, the member for Makin and the member for Spence. They join the Labor team and make up the Labor caucus. I acknowledge and congratulate the member for Barker, who is in the chamber; the new member for Grey; and the member for Mayo for their re-election as well. I know that, each in our way, we will fiercely fight for South Australia and for the communities that we represent. I want to reflect on the fact that this government was re-elected on a very clear vision for the future building on what we started in our first term of government.”
“They have trusted me and my office to be brought into their lives. Whether they're seeking assistance, giving me some good advice—which happens on a pretty regular basis—or having a genuine conversation, I feel really honoured that so many people have brought me into their lives and told me of their aspirations. This election was no different. People's aspiration to support their community, to give their kids a better life than they perhaps had and to make sure that they can just get on with life and look after others was really profound. I would like to particularly acknowledge all the members from South Australia and congratulate everyone on their election to this place. I think it's true—hopefully it's true—to say that at times South Australia bats above its weight.”
“They work very hard to put a roof over their heads and give their children and their grandchildren the best opportunities. For my electorate, making sure that in this most recent election we looked to the future was critically important. It's pretty clear across the country that Australians have chosen to build Australia's future. They voted for fairness, aspiration and opportunity for all and the strength to show courage in adversity and kindness to those in need. This was very important in the election. I think also that, for me and my electorate, people really wanted to connect. I have to say that over my time in parliament it has been absolutely amazing, and I feel so privileged that so many people have invited me into their lives, whether it's through doorknocking, at street corner meetings or by coming into my office.”
“But, ultimately, what makes our community strong is its people—people from all walks of life, raising families out in the areas further flung from the CBD and contributing to community, whether that's through the local Lions, Rotary or Kiwanis; the local CFS; the local coastguard association; the surf lifesaving clubs; or the sporting clubs, such as football clubs and netball clubs. I am astounded, every weekend and during the week when I get away from Canberra, to go around and visit some of those clubs and organisations and think about the volunteering that is put into this—ordinary people doing, I think, extraordinary things to serve the community. So I want to say that I really always admire and am humbled by the effort and work that people put in. Of course, in my electorate people work very hard.”
“It is an absolute honour to have been sworn in as the member for Kingston in the 48th Parliament, my seventh time having this privilege. I continue to be absolutely grateful for and humbled by the confidence that my local community has placed in me to represent them in this place. I continue to be deeply committed to listening to the views and priorities of my community and making sure that they have a voice in this place. I'm a bit biased here, but the southern suburbs of Adelaide are the most beautiful place in the world to live. They have some beautiful coastline that is experiencing some challenges at the moment, but that doesn't take away from the absolute beauty of the coastline, of course, and the many, many open spaces that we have.”
“This Labor government is backing Australian workers, protecting their pay packets and helping people earn more and keep more of what they earn.”
“Our government would not stand by and watch workers' pay go backwards. Central to this government's agenda is ensuring that Australians earn more and keep more of what they earn. Since we've been elected, Aussie workers, on average, are earning an additional $9,000 per year extra. Our government has made a submission for the minimum award wage increases at the Fair Work Commission every single year since we've been in government. We've introduced important measures to stop labour hire workers being unfairly underpaid for doing the same job as their counterparts. The Albanese labour government has backed and funded pay rises for early educators and for aged-care workers, finally valuing the critical work that they do. On top of getting wages moving, we are providing a tax cut for every single Australian taxpayer.”
“One retail worker, Rukman, who works Saturdays and Sundays to support his children, told me it was a huge relief that we are now protecting a critical part of his take-home pay. Liz, a supermarket worker who works nights, said she felt relieved by the news that our legislation had passed the parliament and was coming into effect. Protecting penalty and overtime rates was a priority for the government because there were current applications before the Fair Work Commission that would have stripped penalty and overtime rates from workers, meaning their pay would have gone backwards. If, for example, the retail award application had been successful, it is estimated that some retail workers could have been $10,000 worse off. This threat to pay packets is why our government took clear and decisive action.”
“I'd like to thank the member for Adelaide for that important question. Like everyone on this side of the House, we are committed to advocating for working Australians. I'm very, very pleased to update the House that, on Saturday, our bill to protect overtime and penalty rates for some of our lowest-paid workers came into effect. Because of the Albanese government, for the first time, retail award workers working yesterday and relying on Sunday penalty rates were reassured that their pay packets are now protected. This was a clear commitment that we took to the election, and we have now delivered for the 2.6 million award workers who rely on penalty and overtime rates. Last Friday, I had the absolute privilege of meeting several essential workers who rely on penalty rates.”
“Through this investment, we were able to stop that pool from being closed. I will continue fighting for the beautiful environment that we have but also for the wonderful place that is the southern suburbs of Adelaide.”
“Businesses have been affected not just by the outbreak of the algal bloom but by the perception that it's not safe to swim at South Australian beaches. So there is funding now available for businesses that are affected—tourism businesses as well as other businesses. I have a really important message. If you've been thinking about coming to enjoy the coast, the coast in South Australia is calling. Come down and enjoy it. There are some wonderful businesses and wonderful experiences. Please don't be deterred as we go towards the third-term school holidays. Don't be deterred to get out there. In addition, I am very pleased the federal government continues to invest in our local area. We have money to build the new Port Noarlunga aquatics centre. It's a really important thing.”
“The beautiful South Australian coastline is experiencing challenges at the moment with the harmful algal bloom that has broken out across the shoreline. This is having a significant impact, and I want to acknowledge the distress felt by many people in my local area at the sight of fish and other marine life washed up on the beaches. It's a place that we all like to go to and all like to enjoy, and it is important that we all work together to tackle what we can. Of course, nothing can be done to stop this bloom, but we can respond to it. That's exactly what's being done in a partnership between the state government and the federal government, with investment in science, research and, importantly, monitoring. There is also support for businesses that have been affected.”
“The South Australian coastline is one of the most beautiful coastlines, if not the most beautiful coastline, in the world. In my electorate of Kingston, I have kilometres of beautiful beach, from Hallett Cove to Port Noarlunga and all the way down to Maslin Beach. It's a beautiful piece of coastline, and I was really pleased to gather with many residents to open the new Witton Bluff walking trail on the weekend. This was the result of a long-term campaign over decades to connect the townships of Christies Beach and Port Noarlunga with a beautiful walkway. We campaigned for it along with local members, councillors, residents and businesses, and it was great to be at the opening on Saturday.”
“All in all, this is a great day for Australian workers.' Anthony can be reassured that his penalty rates and overtime are now protected. Indeed, all of those who rely on the modern award safety net—many of whom are women and young people—can be reassured that, with our action, penalty and overtime rates are protected. If you work unsociable hours or weekends and rely on the safety net, you deserve to be compensated. Our government is getting on with the job of delivering on our election commitments. Of course, in addition to boosting wages for low-paid workers, our government is delivering tax cuts for every single worker. This is because, at our fundamental core, our Labor government is committed to Australian workers earning more and keeping more of what they earn.”
“I'm pleased to report to the House that, today, we have delivered on another election commitment to protect overtime and penalty rates, with our bill passing the Senate. We made this election commitment because there are currently applications before the Fair Work Commission that would take workers' pay packets backwards. Our Labor government won't stand by and see wages go backwards. Critically, the passing of our legislation means that penalty and overtime rates for around 2.6 million workers are now protected because of this Labor government. They are protected for workers like Anthony, who I met today when this bill passed. He said: 'The fact that penalty rates are now protected is going to provide a sense of relief for a lot of Australian workers. It's going to be one less thing to worry about.”
“I'd like to thank the member for Macarthur for that question and also for the powerful way he stands up for workers in his electorate, particularly low-paid workers. Of course, in our first term, the Albanese Labor government passed landmark workplace relations reforms, which delivered on getting wages moving again for Aussie workers. We continue to stand up for Aussie workers, making clear election commitments that we are now delivering on. One of these election commitments was to make a submission to the Fair Work Commission for a real wage increase for minimum wage and award-reliant workers. It was one of the first actions we took, and, from 1 July, award and minimum wage workers saw an increase of 3.5 per cent. Since we've been in government, the pay packets of minimum wage workers, on average, have increased by $9,120.”
“We are seeing the Liberal and National parties delay debate in the Senate, playing their silly little delaying tactics to stand in the way of these protections for workers. You might ask: 'Why this delay?' In their heart of hearts, they have never believed in backing working Australians.”
“Of course we know that there is more work to be done, and that is why we are delivering on our commitment to protect penalty and overtime rates. If you rely on the modern award and work weekends, public holidays, early mornings or late nights, you deserve to have your wages protected. Our legislation to protect penalty rates is backed by workers like Ruth, who said: 'Working unsociable hours already impacts time with my grandkids. Without penalty rates, I'd still have to give up Sundays with them, but there would be no reward.' The Albanese Labor government refuses to allow Australian workers to go backwards. I'm asked if there are any obstacles in the way. I'm afraid I do have to report to the House that there is an obstacle, and it's those opposite that are standing in the way.”
“I'd like to thank the member for Spence for that question and for his fierce advocacy for low-paid workers in his electorate and right across the country. Of course, in our first term, the Albanese Labor government delivered landmark reforms in workplace relations, with a very clear goal—that is, to get wages moving. This week marks a major milestone: one year since many of our reforms came into effect. These important reforms were always motivated by a strong belief that a race to the bottom on wages and conditions does not help anybody. At the election, Australians voted for higher wages, and that's exactly what we are delivering. Recent ABS data confirmed the strongest annual real wages growth in five years. There are more people in work, unemployment is low and real wages are up.”
“There is flexibility for workers and unions as well as employers to get together to organise what works for them. We will continue to make sure protections are in place within the laws but, importantly, encourage enterprise bargaining, where many of these conditions are put into place. One of the key things that our government wants to achieve is to ensure that there is more enterprise bargaining in this country. It fell to a record low under those opposite. I am very, very pleased to report to the House that, as of today, there are more workers covered by enterprise bargaining than ever before in history since enterprise bargaining was first introduced. That is because we have been absolutely focused on getting workers and their unions back to the bargaining table with employers to deliver better wages and better conditions.”
“I thank the member for her question. Of course, making sure that Australians have decent wages and conditions has been at the heart of what our government have done in our first term and continues to be what we focus on today. In fact, we have in the Senate our penalty rates bill to protect penalty rates. It is disappointing that those opposite have been playing with delaying tactics in the Senate to stop allowing those workers to get the protections they deserve. When it comes to flexibility at work, our government put through laws in the last term that allow workers to request flexibility at work, whether that's the location of where they work or, indeed, how they might have a span of hours, such as compacted work weeks. We believe that we need a strong safety net in this country.”
“It is under our government that Aussie workers are earning more and keeping more of what they earn, and we'll keep doing that even in the face of those opposite.”
“Not only are we focused on creating more jobs now; we're also focused on creating and preparing young Australians for construction jobs of the future. That's why we are delivering free TAFE right across the country for students who are taking up the opportunity to take on a course and get a job in the construction industry. We've also established $10,000 incentive payments for apprentices who finish an apprenticeship to ensure Australia has the workforce it needs to build homes. We are committed to building more homes in Australia, creating more jobs in the construction industry and ensuring young Australians have the training they need for jobs in the industry. It is only this government that is absolutely committed to building Australia's future by getting wages moving, by creating more jobs and, of course, by building more houses.”
“This is an 8.6 per cent increase, which represents a higher rate of employment growth than all other major advanced economies over the same period. Of course, we have ambition for more jobs. We are not going to be complacent. We are committed to creating more jobs for Australians, including in the construction industry. Our housing plan to build more homes more quickly not only ensures that people have a roof over their head but will create more job opportunities in the construction industry. As the housing minister has said, by streamlining housing approvals and cutting red tape—taking action on delays in approvals—we'll see more builders and tradies on construction sites rather than filling out forms.”
“I'd like to thank the member for Solomon for his question but also for his commitment to those working Australians right across the country as well as in Darwin and Palmerston and for making sure that they can earn more and keep more of what they earn. In our first term, we improved workplace laws, which are now delivering real wage increases and more secure jobs. The most recent data released by the ABS confirmed that real wages have now grown for seven consecutive quarters under the Albanese Labor government. The data also demonstrates the strongest annual real wages growth in five years. ABS data also confirms that the government is delivering more jobs for Australians. Since we were elected in May 2022, we've seen more than 1.1 million jobs created.”
“The passage of our legislation through the House today clearly demonstrates our government is getting on with the job, delivering on our commitments to protect penalty and overtime rates.”
“It's extra money earnt for choosing to work rather than enjoy a day off.' And there's Cooper on the Gold Coast. He said: 'Penalty rates aren't a bonus; they're an essential part of a modern worker's wage. That income comes at a personal cost: time lost with friends, missed milestones with family and social life sacrificed.' The action we have taken is clear and decisive. It is about protecting workers like Erin and Cooper's penalty rates and overtime rates. I've been asked why this legislation is urgent. There are currently cases on foot where employers in retail, clerical and banking sectors are proposing to trade away penalty rates, leaving some of our lowest paid workers worse off. That is why our clear commitment is to protect penalty rates and overtime rates, and it is an urgent priority.”
“I'm pleased to advise the House that legislation passed this House earlier today to safeguard fundamental entitlements of around 2.6 million modern-award reliant workers—because these workers deserve laws that ensure their pay does not go backwards. Penalty rates and overtime are a longstanding feature and a vital part of the modern award safety net, which supports our lowest paid workers. Workers who rely on penalty rates are more likely to be women, work part time, be under the age of 35 and be employed on a casual basis. They are people like Erin, who works in a grocery store in South Australia. She said: 'Earning penalty rates makes it worthwhile, while being away from family and not taking a day to be able to rest and recover.”
“I would like to thank the member for Leichhardt for his question and, of course, for the work he did in protecting workers' rights before he came to this place but also the work he continues to do right here in this parliament. The Albanese government has delivered landmark workplace relations reforms, with a clear goal to get wages moving again. We fought hard to deliver them because working Australians deserve decent pay and secure jobs. Our laws are working to deliver real wage increases. We are now seeing the strongest rate of annual wages growth in five years. Our work to protect the pay packets of Australians is continuing. We are delivering on our clear election commitment to protect penalty and overtime rates in modern awards.”
“This provision does not require any extra impost on small business. There is no extra impost whatsoever. What this provision does is protect what is currently happening. So I will repeat it again for him. If you're a small business and you pay under the award and you're paying penalty rates, then you just keep doing it. If his proposition is that that is terrible for small business, then he is putting to the House that he disagrees with paying penalty rates. He doesn't support penalty rates. There's no other conclusion that you can make. The shadow minister has got to have the courage to either get up, vote against this bill and say he disagrees with penalty rates or actually back what the Australian people agreed to at the election, and that is the protection of their penalty rates.”
“If that is what is in his heart of hearts, he should have the guts to get up to the dispatch box and say he's opposing this bill. Is he going to oppose this bill? Does he oppose this bill? He said that he agrees with penalty rates, but, in the proposition of every single one of his questions, he has argued against penalty rates and against overtime, saying that they make it complex. Is it his proposition that no small business in this country should ever have to pay penalty rates? That is what he's putting to the House. I will answer that question. I disagree with that proposition. I think hardworking Australians deserve penalty rates, particularly those who rely on the safety net and the modern award. So I'm going to repeat this for the shadow minister, because he's a little slow at catching up.”
“I thank the shadow minister for his circular questions. Ultimately, the proposition he's putting forward is that penalty rates shouldn't be in awards. Effectively, his questions about the impost that penalty rates are on HR departments, as well as his proposition about how bad penalty rates are and how difficult they make things, go to the substance of this bill. The basic question in the amended bill before the House is: do you support protecting penalty rates and overtime rates in the award safety net or not? That is a simple proposition, and all the scenarios he's put to me in the questions suggest that, deep down in his heart, he would love nothing more than to strip penalty and overtime rates from all awards and every workplace in this country. That is a shameful proposition.”
“The shadow minister has got himself all tied up in knots. He's a little bit rusty with the parliamentary procedures. I'm sure that he'll calm. Finally, I'd just like to mention—talking in good faith—that I have been very open with the shadow minister. I have not only consulted with employers, unions and, of course, workers around this country; I briefed him as well. I would hope that we could continue to work in a collaborative way, even when we disagree. He has clearly put it on the table that that is not the way he wants to work, which I'm fine with. We will get on with the job of protecting Australian workers, making sure Australian workers don't go backwards, and we will reject these amendments entirely.”
“I am not sure if the shadow minister, through this amendment, is trying to foreshadow that if the coalition is ever elected, he intends to rip away penalty rates and overtime rates, because it doesn't alter any obligations. There has been flourishing rhetoric about all the small businesses. I'm talking directly to small business all of the time, and my message to small business is that the result of this amendment we are making to protect penalty rates is for you to do exactly what you're doing now. Comply with the law; pay penalty rates, if you pay under the award system and you’re required to do so; and, if you would like to enter into negotiations with your employees, there is an enterprise bargaining framework that is there for you to use. This is a sensible, simple proposition.”
“He's talked about the 'big change' that this amendment is going to put through all workplaces in Australia, but the impact of this is that there is no change to what is currently operating. So he is asking for a regulatory impact statement—talk about a lot of duplication and red tape!—for something that involves no change whatsoever. He's asked about the direct consequences for small business. That has been his biggest concern. He must have missed my summing-up speech, because, to be clear, this bill does not alter existing employer obligations, including those of small business. It requires employers to do exactly what they are doing now.”
“So, while he's trying to have a bet both ways here, his substitution and his amendment would water down the test for workers in this country and go to a lower test to protect penalty rates. That is one of the reasons we are rejecting this amendment. The second reason is—he's a bit rusty on this, and, in his own way, he acknowledged that he'd already accepted our amendment that made sure that there wasn't a requirement to go through any old modern awards—his (1)(b) position is actually completely redundant. It is an unnecessary duplication, and, for someone who has talked about regulatory burden, having a duplication in this bill really doesn't sound very productive to me. It adds complexity to the Fair Work Act, so we are rejecting that part. He's focused a lot on a regulatory impact statement.”
“The flourishing rhetoric from the member for Goldstein is very reminiscent of Work Choices. I know that, deep down, that IPA Work Choices passion still burns in the shadow minister for small business, industrial relations and employment. I will directly reject the proposition. We will not be supporting this amendment for a number of reasons. The first reason is that the shadow minister has pretended he supports penalty rates, but, in the provision that he has tabled, the words 'where the Fair Work Commission must be satisfied' are actually a watering down of protections. It is a lower test to protect penalty rates. Our words that include 'must ensure' are the words that provide the greatest protection.”
“It was never the intent of the bill to compel the commission to undertake a review of all modern awards or to review penalty and overtime rates if those terms are outside the scope of the particular application before the commission. We are and have been incredibly confident that the bill as introduced, without this amendment, would not have operated in this way. However, the government is committed to ongoing genuine consultation, which I have afforded to the opposition but also, of course, to business, employer representatives and unions. We are amending the bill for the avoidance of any doubt and to provide certainty for stakeholders, in good faith. I commend the amendment. Question agreed to.”
“I present a supplementary explanatory memorandum to the bill, and I move the government amendment as circulated: (1) Schedule 1, item 1, page 3 (after line 18), at the end of section 135A, add: (3) Nothing in subsection (1) requires the FWC to exercise its powers under this Part to make, vary or revoke modern awards. The amendment introduces new subsection (3) to proposed section 135A, putting it beyond doubt that the changes introduced by this bill do not require or compel the Fair Work Commission to undertake a review of all modern awards to see whether the new principle applies or not; review award terms outside the scope of an application before the commission; or exercise its powers to make, vary or revoke a modern award.”
“As we have heard today, it is low-paid workers, women, and young people who are more likely to be reliant on awards, as well as those working in retail and hospitality, who often work unsociable and irregular hours. This simple and very straightforward bill is about fairness. It is about respecting the millions of Australians who work public holidays, weekends, late nights and early mornings, and it's about making sure the safety net does what it's meant to do—protect those who need it most. I commend the bill to the House.”
“That means, if you're a small business and you're paying your workers by the modern award safety net, the impact is this: do exactly what you're doing right now. After all the bluster and grandstanding, the shadow minister still hasn't revealed his position on the question that really matters: are he and his party going to back this legislation to protect penalty and overtime rates or not? The shadow minister says he supports penalty rates, but he is also talking this bill down. The question for the shadow minister and for those opposite is: is he going to back in his bluster, or is he going to protect penalty rates? It's a very simple proposition.”