Peter Costello (Higgins, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

The Australian government’s Work Choices legislation is based on enabling employers and employees to come to agreements which are in their mutual interests and which are above and beyond the Australian fair pay and conditions standard. What that means is that there is a floor under terms and conditions and, above that floor, employers and employees can negotiate for the advantage of both.

Can I point this out: employees are in a stronger position today than they have been in for at least 30 years, because unemployment is lower today than it has been for the last 30 years. The proof is in the government’s performance. This is a government under which there has been massive job creation. This is a government under which there have been real wage increases. The worst thing that could ever happen for Australian employees is the return of a Labor government.

See this speech in context