John McVeigh (Groom, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to speak against this motion on penalty rates, and, in so doing, I initially reflect on a couple of very important points. I reflect on the fact that, following the Fair Work Commission's independent decision, small businesses across Australia—shops, pharmacies, takeaways, hotels—have noted and publicly stated the fact that they have found it traditionally far too expensive, in most cases, to open on Sundays. They say that this decision will allow them to keep their doors open on Sundays, to employ more people, to provide more jobs and, in particular, to provide a level playing field such that they can compete with big business. I also reflect that it was Mr Shorten himself who set the rules for this particular inquiry—

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