Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

You need to listen to the answer I am providing. It is always encouraging to get help from the opposition. The fundamental issue is that this government has started an award modernisation process through the Industrial Relations Commission, which the opposition were unable to do. We have also taken into account its impact across the economy by ensuring that the transitional arrangements will ensure that there are five years for the award modernisation process to run. Also, in the supplementary submission on award modernisation, the government urged the AIRC to use the full scope of transitional arrangements in relation to significant remuneration entitlements because we are aware of the global financial crisis. (Time expired)