Stephen Smith (Perth, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Industry, Infrastructure and Industrial Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer. Is it not the case that the current certified agreement the Australian Valuation Office has with its employees expires tomorrow? Is it not the case that, of the 105 Australian Valuation Office employees covered by that agreement, the choice of over 90 employees is for a union negotiated certified agreement? Is it not also the case that late last week Australian Valuation Office employees were told by the government that because of the government’s industrial relations changes the only choice now was an AWA and no union? How is that greater choice for the government’s own employees?

Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member opposite for his question. Having only been in this place just under five years, one thing that I have learned is never to take at face value the word of the Australian Labor Party. Let me provide this undertaking to the House: when I look into the matter and receive the full facts—not the Labor version of the facts—I will respond accordingly. Let me make a more general point. This government has provided more choice for people in this country. The choice they had under Labor was no job or a job; 1.7 million people are into jobs who never had jobs under the Labor Party.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The minister will resume his seat.

Kim Beazley (Brand, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Beazley interjecting

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have not called the Leader of the Opposition.

Kim Beazley (Brand, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Beazley interjecting

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition does not have the call. Has the minister completed his answer?

Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes.