Chris Bowen (Prospect, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I note in passing that we are in an unusual situation whereby the minister is taking all these questions and, presumably, will answer them at the end. This provides the Labor Party with little or no opportunity to ask follow-up questions or indeed to point out to the minister that he has neglected to answer the odd question along the way, which would be human, if he did. Taking note of all these questions and attempting to answer them in one go at the end would be very difficult. I would have thought it would be better if the minister could answer them as we go and then provide the opportunity for follow-up questions, which is the way other ministers have dealt with it. I know the minister took offence at some things said earlier in this session, but there has been nothing which would lead him to continue to sit there and refuse to answer questions at this point in the proceedings.

Perhaps I could coax the minister out of his chair by asking him about something very close to his heart: Australian workplace agreements. I note that 2.4 per cent of Australian employees are on Australian workplace agreements, and I am sure the minister would like that figure to be a lot more. I wonder whether the minister would be so good as to enlighten the House on whether he has any plans for advertising to encourage people onto Australian workplace agreements or any plans for mail-outs to employers, for example—paid for by the government—to encourage them to enter into Australian workplace agreements. What other steps might the minister be taking to encourage people to enter into Australian workplace agreements?

I know that employers will find Australian workplace agreements a lot more attractive since the no disadvantage test has been abolished, and we have already seen evidence of that. Clearly, they will be a lot less attractive to employees. I am sure the minister has a cunning plan to encourage people onto AWAs—other than by way of sign or sack—through advertising or other means. I wonder whether he would be so good as to share with the House what plans they are.

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