Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for his question and I thank him for the fact that he voted for the award modernisation process he is now criticising. I would correct him: it is not my award modernisation process; it is one that was voted for in this parliament and he voted for it, and it is being undertaken by the independent industrial umpire.

Now I understand that members of the opposition hate independent industrial umpires. That is why they brought Work Choices to this country: to ensure that working people could be ripped off without the protection of an independent umpire. That is what they believe in so I know that they hate independent industrial umpires. But this process is being undertaken by the independent industrial umpire.

I do not accept the figures put in the question by the member. I did not accept the figures put in the question by the shadow minister. But what I can say to the members opposite, as I have explained before and as the member is obviously completely ignoring in his question, is this: this is a reform long sought by employers. This would be a simple modern award. Why should employers who are maybe around border regions between states be under two completely different systems? He would find those employers saying to him that they want a more efficient system, and this will be one.

Then we are talking of course about a five-year measured phase-in that the industrial umpire is working through now. And for the member’s information, from time to time as necessary, if there has been a significant issue with award modernisation, I have varied my award modernisation request and I continue to consult with employers including employers who represent the sector that he raises in the parliament today.

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