Ruth Webber (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Minchin, Minister representing the Prime Minister. Does the minister agree with the decision of the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations to maintain protections for owner-drivers in New South Wales and Victoria under the proposed independent contractors legislation? Doesn’t this decision recognise that this group is vulnerable to exploitation from unscrupulous employers? Or does the minister share the concerns of Senator Joyce that the bill will encourage more employers to push employees onto contracts, undercutting their entitlements and potentially undermining the income tax system? Is the position announced by Minister Andrews on 3 May 2006 the government’s final position or is it subject to further internal debate? When will the government resolve its internal divisions and present this bill?