Rob Mitchell (McEwen, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister supported cutting the penalty rates of nearly 700,000 Australians by up to $77 a week. Will the Prime Minister guarantee that any personal income tax relief in tonight's budget will make up for the $77 every week that he supports cutting from the pay of ordinary workers?

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

I thank the honourable member for his question. We all recall the halcyon days when the honourable member was a great defender of the independent umpire, the Fair Work Commission.

Rob Mitchell (McEwen, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

And the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal!

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

He's conceded that he used to be a supporter of the Fair Work Commission, but he abandoned it when it gave a decision that didn't suit him. I want to encourage the honourable member to return to the path of good sense and the great Labor tradition of supporting the independent umpire. As for the budget, the honourable member does not have long to wait.