Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Hansard source

Yes, it's fun. It was a stunt. It was a bill where you could do it without jeopardising people's lives in any way.

The Speaker ruled that the amendment had been validly passed and proceedings on the bill should have ceased at that point. But you really want to put that forward? Really? Of all the different things that we can put in jeopardy and be willing to play some game of chicken with each other don't choose the wages of the people who run the public service, don't choose the wages of the people who deliver the payment system, don't choose the wages of the people who run this building and who we all ask to help us every single day we're here.

I will roll with the punches on different stunts when they are taken, but this one is just low. It's just low doing that on a supply bill, because, I can tell you what, your wages won't be affected by this one. They're covered elsewhere. You'll be fine. But each time someone opens a door or welcomes you through security or cleans your office, each time you talk to someone who relies on the payment system, each time someone wants a government service don't forget this night. Don't forget that a political point was worth threatening their jobs and their wages.

This place is not a university SRC. What happens here is real. What happens here affects the whole of the nation. What is being tried on right now, for the sake of a debate, is a game of chicken on people's wages, people who deserve better. They deserve better from each and every one of us in here.

I recommend people, when this comes to the vote, oppose the amendment. At that moment do not call for a division and risk that we don't get this done tomorrow, because, if we don't, the Senate doesn't sit again until 21 November. The impact is real—

An honourable member interjecting—

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