Chris Hayes (Werriwa, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the question I asked on 13 September concerning an AWA offered to one of my constituents, Reynaldo Cortez, by Lipa Pharmaceuticals which reduces his take-home pay by $200 a week. Is the Prime Minister aware of comments made by Mr Cortez in the Campbelltown-Macarthur Advertiser on 20 September on the reasons he signed the AWA? He said:

I have five children and am the only one working because my wife is taking care of my kids. I felt sick ... I couldn’t sleep because of what’s going on ... I didn’t like to sign but what would happen to me [if I didn’t]?

Isn’t it the case that Mr Cortez’s choice was to either accept the job with reduced conditions and entitlements or not have the job? Isn’t this the Prime Minister’s real idea of choice—no choice except take it or leave it?

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