Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Government Services and the Digital Economy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Labor's radical industrial relations bill attacks the very heart of our economy—our small businesses. These extreme changes will be complicated and expensive for small business. These changes are designed to invite unions into small-business premises and operations across Australia. These changes will bring about compulsory sector-wide or industry bargaining, including compulsory multi-employer bargaining. They will make strike actions more likely. They will discourage small businesses from employing more workers. Small-business representatives have asked for more time to consult on and to debate this bill, but Labor have refused to listen because they are determined to ram these changes through as quickly as possible.

Small business wants the definition of 'small business' in the bill to be increased well above the 15-employee threshold that Labor has set, but Labor voted against coalition amendments designed to do just that. Small business does not support the provisions allowing unions to apply and nominate businesses to participate in multi-employer bargaining. Again, Labor has refused to listen to the reasonable arguments from the side of the House. Small business opposes the changes that would mean employment terms in one small business could be directly impacted by actions within another business. This is the Albanese Labor government governing not in the interests of all Australians but for its paymasters, big unions and thuggish union officials.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In accordance with standing order 43, the time for members' statements has concluded.