Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

That used to be the view propounded by the Labor Party. It used to be the Leader of the Opposition's view. It certainly was—unless he has had his book brought back and pulped—the member for McMahon's view in his book.

The fact of the matter is that they know and we know that if you have more investment you will get more employment. If you have more employment, there will be greater opportunities for Australians. Everything we are doing is designed to improve the prospects for employment for Australians, including reforms on exports, investment and business tax cuts and ensuring we have affordable and reliable energy. Every element of our economic plan and everything we are doing is designed to ensure Australians have a better prospect to get ahead. On the other hand, every element of Labor's plan is designed to discourage investment and employment—higher taxes, higher debt and more expensive energy.

The member referred to the penalty rates decision. As I said, this is a complex decision covering a number of awards. There were thousands of pages of evidence given from hundreds of witnesses. The inquiry went on for a very long time. It was started when the Labor Party was in government. It was a very complex inquiry. What we have seen is a decision which seeks to balance penalty rates with the desire to increase employment and create more job opportunities. That is the decision that the former ACTU official Ian Ross and the panel entirely appointed by the Labor Party have come to.

We respect and support the independent umpire. The Labor Party did. The Labor Party should again because it is a fundamental foundation of the industrial relations system in Australia. (Time expired)

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