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

Mr Speaker, I seek the indulgence of the chair to add to an answer.

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

The Prime Minister may proceed.

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

On 14 and 15 August 2006 the member for Adelaide asked two questions regarding the employment of Billy Schultze at a BP service station in Adelaide. At the time, I said I would report back to the House when the OWS investigation was finalised.

The first aspect of the member for Adelaide’s question was an allegation that Mr Schultze was underpaid when Adelaide Petroleum, the previous owner, withheld moneys because of drive-offs. Late last year, the OWS found that Mr Schultze was underpaid the amount of $160, and I understand that it has now been paid.

On the second and more serious aspect of the member for Adelaide’s question, the Office of Workplace Services commenced proceedings yesterday in the Federal Magistrates Court against BP Australia Pty Ltd and No. 1 Riverside Quay Pty Ltd, the new owners. The OWS allege that BP have breached the Workplace Relations Act 1996 by placing duress on employees in the making of a workplace agreement and by making false and misleading statements to the employees. Work Choices has significant penalties for breaches of the law but it also has significant protections from those breaches. No industrial system can prevent employees or employers from being treated outside the law. Importantly, this action shows that the Office of Workplace Services is well armed to protect workers young and old from unlawful behaviour.

Since Work Choices began operating, the OWS has recovered $6.73 million on behalf of workers and commenced 32 actions in court. This is, of course, the same agency that Labor have promised to abolish in their workplace revolution. I urge any worker who believes that he or she may have been mistreated to contact the Office of Workplace Services.