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

My question is again to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, and follows on from his previous answer about the Lufthansa subsidiary Global’s AWA and his reference to choice. Isn’t it the case that the internal Global documents associated with the AWA and presented to Global employees make it crystal clear that the AWA is not subject to negotiation, that, if the AWA is not accepted, access to staff benefits will be lost—a matter which the Victorian Workplace Advocate identified as possible duress—and that Global has fewer than 100 employees and is exempt from any unfair dismissal remedy? Isn’t it the case that, far from choice, this was a take it or leave it AWA—take the AWA or lose benefits, or lose your job because you have no unfair dismissal remedy?

Kevin Andrews (Menzies, Liberal Party, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The short answer to the honourable member’s question is no. What the honourable member for Perth is arguing is that there should be no choice between an AWA or a collective agreement. What this company has offered is a choice between an AWA or a collective agreement. Those workers who choose not to take the AWA remain on the collective agreement, and that was pointed out in advice from the company to the Victorian Workplace Advocate. The member for Perth knows that very well. Why is it—

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

Mr Stephen Smith interjecting

Kevin Andrews (Menzies, Liberal Party, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Do not get too excited, Stephen. The reality is that the Labor Party do not like Australian workplace agreements because they give workers choice and they give them the opportunity to earn more money. Why is it that the once great party of the Australian worker is abandoning the worker today?