Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I have heard that is the case, Senator McLucas. Some 1,850 jobs will be gone in that part of the world.

I would like to talk a little bit about the Fair Work Bill and what a wonderful week this will be for working Australians. Regardless of what those opposite wish to think, the Rudd Labor government has a mandate, unlike the Howard Liberal government in 2004, who espoused that they had a mandate to bring in Work Choices. They did not have a damn mandate. There was no mandate. We clearly went to the election saying that, if we were elected, the Rudd Labor government would get rid of Work Choices once and for all. I am very proud to say I am part of the government that took it to the people in the election. This week, with all the best efforts and concerns, we will be relying on the Senate to give the Australian people their mandate and let us get rid of Work Choices.

I would like to home in on one aspect of Work Choices that is dear and close to my heart. I want to talk about how Work Choices has affected the road transport industry—surprise, surprise! For years—and I do speak with some authority here, and I would welcome any interjection from those opposite who would like to take the challenge—