Steve Fielding (Victoria, Family First Party) Share this | Hansard source

Family First is pleased the government has agreed to have the Family First bill on restoring family-work balance with regard to Work Choices referred to an inquiry. Even though we would have preferred more time, it is better to have the legislation referred through than not at all. Work Choices is a huge issue for the Australian public. People are concerned about whether the right balance has been struck, given that it was a very high risk strategy to say, ‘No problems, no changes,’ and that ripping up Work Choices and AWAs was another position that people were not looking for. They are looking for something in the middle. Family First’s bill was to guarantee public holidays, meal breaks, overtime and penalty rates and redundancy entitlements. These are matters of real concern to Australians, as is getting the right balance. So Family First is pleased that it has been referred through to an inquiry.