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

I move opposition amendment (33) on sheet 5295 revised:

(33)  Schedule 1, page 36 (after line 3), after item 22, insert:

22C At the end of section 613

Add:

        (4)    Notwithstanding the other factors set out in this section or a provision in a workplace agreement or an award, an employee who wishes to attend commemorative events on Anzac Day, or to support the attendance of a member of the employee’s family at commemorative events on Anzac Day, must be taken to have reasonable grounds for refusing a request to work on Anzac Day.

Perhaps while government senators are here they should be aware that they have just voted against a Labor amendment which would ensure that people who wish to observe a religious ceremony on Good Friday or Christmas Day do not have grounds under the act to refuse a request to work overtime on that day—just to be clear about what the government’s position is on this. Now you have the opportunity with this next amendment to ensure that employees who wish to attend commemorative events on Anzac Day or to support the attendance of a member of the employee’s family at commemorative events on Anzac Day—