Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Corporate Governance and Responsibility) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Minchin, Leader of the Government in the Senate. Does the minister recall his remarks to the HR Nicholls Society in which he begged forgiveness that the Howard government’s extreme industrial relations changes did not go far enough? Is it not the case that the industrial relations changes, which take effect today, have already removed protection from unfair dismissal and crushed Australian workers’ ability to bargain for better pay and conditions? Given his recent comments, can the minister now explain how much further he wants to go? Which of the few remaining rights does the minister now want to strip off Australian workers?