Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Once again, no answer. The minister is, on the one hand, willing to condemn but, on the other hand, not willing to admit or acknowledge that these very items she believes are so vital have in fact been removed from a number of union negotiated awards. I think one of the first ones to do that was in her home state of South Australia with the shop distributive alliance. I ask the minister: in the event that the original bill was clearly election policy and all clear, why is it that she had to come in here half an hour ago, tail between her legs, with 24 government amendments and 15 pages of explanatory memorandum if it was all so simple? If it was all so simple, why is it that she has now had to come in with all these amendments?