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

In reply to the honourable member for Fremantle: the design and intent of that provision of the legislation is very clear. I cannot guarantee the individual conduct of either employers or employees in response to a provision of the law, any more than I am sure the member for Fremantle purported to guarantee the behaviour of people in relation to laws passed when she was Premier of Western Australia or when she was a minister in the Keating government. The truth is that you legislate for a purpose and people are expected to obey the law. If they do not obey the law, they get prosecuted. That is happening with alacrity—and I know it upsets you.

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