Kevin Andrews (Menzies, Liberal Party, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Greenway for her question. I note that the unemployment rate of 4.5 per cent in her electorate of Greenway is below the national average, and almost half what it was at 8.8 per cent when Labor was in government. That is a result of the strong economic management of this government, which has led to more jobs for people not only in Greenway but right throughout Australia.

The honourable member asked me about the continuing absurd claims made by the opposition and the unions about occupational health and safety under Work Choices. I again reiterate to the House that occupational health and safety remains a responsibility of the states and territories and indeed is legislated for by the states and territories in Australia. But this has not stopped those opposite and others from running around suggesting otherwise. We have had Labor’s great new hope, Bill Shorten, running around suggesting that occupational health and safety training is somehow at risk under Work Choices. Indeed, on Sky News on 22 May, Mr Shorten had this exchange with David Spears, who asked: ‘Do you accept that workers at this mine or any mine or any workplace will still be able to receive union provided safety training under the new laws?’ Mr Shorten responded, ‘No. I don’t accept that.’

That was pretty clear. But I was very surprised recently when I came across a union collective agreement which was lodged with the Office of the Employment Advocate, I am advised, on 12 May this year—a union collective agreement lodged since the introduction of the Work Choices legislation on 27 March. When I look in this agreement I find clause 26—

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