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

My question is also to the Prime Minister and again refers to Mr Shane Denning. Is the Prime Minister aware that Shane’s contract with BM Sydney Building Materials provided that Shane was responsible for remitting GST to the Australian Taxation Office, for his own superannuation, his own workers compensation and public liability insurance and providing his own protective work gear? Is the Prime Minister also aware that Shane worked effectively as an employee, working regular hours Monday to Friday, under the direct supervision and control of his employer? Isn’t it the case that the Prime Minister’s independent contractors legislation takes away the protections, currently available to Shane under New South Wales state law, to be treated fairly as an employee and not as a sham contractor?

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

I have already indicated in answer to the question from the Leader of the Opposition that when I have all the details relating to Shane I will consider them. I will provide a prompt response as I did in relation to the member for Prospect. I only hope that the facts on this occasion are a little closer to the truth than was the case with the question from the member for Prospect.

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

To assist the Prime Minister, I am happy to provide him, by leave, with a copy of the contract and a copy of Shane’s statement.

Leave granted.