John Howard (Bennelong, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. I remind the Leader of the Opposition that employers, long before the introduction of Work Choices, had the right to propose a particular form of employment contract. It has been the law for more than a decade in this country that an employer could, consistent with something I am about to say, nominate that people, particularly new employees, be engaged on AWAs.

The Leader of the Opposition would also be aware that under the new law it is unlawful for somebody to be coerced into signing an AWA. That is the law, and that law will be applied in relation to this site, as indeed for their others. I also inform the Leader of the Opposition that my advice about the unanimity of the reaction of the employees is different from that of the Leader of the Opposition. But let us wait and see.

I also, as a footnote, add that I am aware that my department does not actually own the building.

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