Annette Ellis (Canberra, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Prime Minister’s statement on the Alan Jones program on radio 2GB on 4 August last year:

It would be absurd and unfair and unreasonable, if somebody has to work on a public holiday, that that person isn’t compensated by being paid whatever it is—the double time or the time and a half ...

I refer to Spotlight’s AWA, which expressly excludes ‘penalty rates, including for work on public holidays’. Prime Minister, why isn’t 2c an hour for working on a public holiday absurd, unfair and unreasonable, just like your legislation?

John Howard (Bennelong, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Let me give my answer in two parts. Firstly, our legislation is not absurd, unfair and unreasonable. Our legislation will be as successful in generating more jobs for the Australian economy as was our legislation of 10 years ago. The doomsaying of those who sit opposite about our legislation will be proved just as invalid as it was in relation to our reforms of 10 years ago.

In relation to what I said on the Alan Jones program, no disrespect to the person who has asked the question—perhaps it is some of the company she keeps—but I have learnt from long experience—

Annette Ellis (Canberra, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Ms Annette Ellis interjecting

John Howard (Bennelong, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I mean amongst your colleagues. I respect the lady very much, Mr Speaker—she is a hardworking member and I mean no offence to her. But I have long adopted the very wise practice, when members of the opposition get up and say, ‘You said this 10 or 20 years ago’ or ‘15 months ago’ or ‘15 days ago,’ and I take the normal human precaution, of having a look at the transcript before I accept what is put to me by the opposition. I intend to do that again on this occasion, much as I respect and like the member who asked me the question.