Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Is the Prime Minister really telling Margarita that when penalty rates fall her wages will not, because she is actually employed on award terms? What is Margarita meant to do?

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The honourable member has a long track record in negotiating below-award rates for his members. He has done very well on that. But it may come as a surprise to him that many employers pay their employees more than the award. The award is the base. If he wants to avoid risking misleading the House, he has to demonstrate that Margarita's employer have stated that it is their intention to reduce her pay to the level set by the Fair Work Commission. Is that their intention in respect of Margarita, who I am sure is a very valued employee? That is the challenge for the Leader of the Opposition.