Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Water) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Siewert, I think you are already aware—let me put my glasses on so I can see whether you are nodding—that in my answers to general questions I did indicate the government’s position on this. I appreciate your views in relation to this but we have taken the view that, in developing the policy implementation plan under Forward with Fairness, we had to provide certainty for employers and employees in their terms and conditions without preventing them from agreeing to terminate the agreements if they desired. I read out, I think, in response to earlier questions, the aspect of our policy implementation plan which dealt with this issue. Therefore it comes as no surprise, I am sure, that the government is not supporting this amendment.

Question negatived.