Debate resumed from 13 February, on motion by Mr Nairn:

That this bill be now read a second time.

upon which Mr Tanner moved by way of amendment:

That all words after “That” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words: “whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House is of the view that:

(1)

despite record high commodity prices the Government has failed to secure Australia’s long term economic fundamentals and that it should be condemned for its failure to:

(a)

stem the widening current account deficit and trade deficits;

(b)

reverse the reduction in public education and training investment;

(c)

address critical structural weaknesses in health such as workforce shortages and rising costs;

(d)

expand and encourage research and development to move Australian industry and exports up the value-chain; and

(e)

address falling levels of workplace productivity; and

(2)

the Government’s extreme industrial relations laws will lower wages and conditions for many workers and do nothing to enhance productivity or economic growth; and

(3)

the Government’s Budget documents fail the test of transparency and accountability”.

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