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 recent Federal Court case involving a Landscape Direct employee, employed under the relevant award, who commenced performing duties as an acting site supervisor in January 2004. Is the Prime Minister aware that, after the employee had started acting in the higher position and his job performance was regarded as excellent, his employer offered to make the role permanent but only if an AWA was signed? Is the Prime Minister aware that the Federal Court found that it was lawful under his laws to require an employee to go on to an AWA  for the purpose of getting a promotion? Why is the Prime Minister allowing AWAs to block promotions and therefore scuttle the hopes and aspirations of Australian employees?

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

I have seen a report of that case and I might make the observation—

Dick Adams (Lyons, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Adams interjecting

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

Order! The member for Lyons is warned!

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

that it appears to have been a decision made in relation to matters that occurred under the law that operated before Work Choices was introduced. In accordance with my well-established practice—a practice the wisdom of which has been borne out on at least three or four occasions over the last week—I will examine the detail of the case. I will examine the detail of the question asked by the Leader of the Opposition and have something further to say about it, because I think I am justified in saying, on the track record of the member for Perth and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, you cannot always believe what the opposition say at question time with their questions.