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

My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Spotlight 2c an hour AWA which would see Mrs Annette Harris lose $90 a week in take-home pay. Is the Prime Minister aware of the statement on ABC radio on Saturday by Mrs Harris:

“I thought John Howard was just Prince Charming ...

“But ... after what’s happened and his arrogant attitude in Parliament—it’s just left me cold ...

“I’d like him to come and walk in my shoes for a day and see what I actually do as a mother and as a worker and then coming home every night.

“I don’t have people serving me for $14.28 an hour, I’ve got to do all that myself.”

When will the Prime Minister go to Coffs Harbour and personally explain to Mrs Harris how her losing $90 a week is fair?

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

The answer to the first part of the question is no, I was not. Obviously, like any other person in public life, if somebody thinks poorly of decisions with which I am associated, that is a matter for personal regret. My attention having been drawn to what the lady has had to say, I can only make the observation, as I did last week, that the interesting piece of information, which may be of passing interest to the Leader of the Opposition and to other members of this parliament, is that Spotlight has, as many people in the House know, recently opened a new outlet in Mount Druitt. Mount Druitt, unlike many other parts of Sydney, still suffers from an unacceptably high level of unemployment.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

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

It is very interesting: the crescendo rises whenever you talk about unemployment and workplace relations. There are 40 people, I am told, who have been engaged—

Jenny Macklin (Jagajaga, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Ms Macklin interjecting

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

I can hear the Deputy Leader of the Opposition—‘90 dollars’ she is saying. Spotlight has, I am told, opened a new store at Mount Druitt in Western Sydney. The unemployment rate in Mount Druitt is over 10 per cent. I am further informed that 38 of the 40 new staff employed on AWAs in Spotlight at Mount Druitt in Western Sydney were previously unemployed. In other words, there are 38 people who are better off. The piercing voice of the Deputy Leader of the Opposition keeps saying ‘90 dollars’—

Jenny Macklin (Jagajaga, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Ms Macklin interjecting

Ms Catherine King (Ballarat, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Treasury) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Ms King interjecting

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

The member for Ballarat is warned!

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

It is not actually $90; it is $338.10, because that is the difference between the amount a job seeker on the unemployment benefit of $205.30 a week receives and the amount that they will receive under a Spotlight AWA of $543.40 a week. Like my friend Tony Blair, I believe fairness in the workplace starts with the chance of a job. As a result of our policy, 38 people in Mount Druitt have been given the chance of a job and they are $338 a week better off.