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

I indicated the opposition’s stance on this before we suspended at 1.30 pm, which was that we support amendment (4). Senator Siewert kindly referred to my pursuit of this matter during the committee stage and, as I indicated, I thought Labor or the government would be moving an amendment and therefore I did not, Senator Marshall. But there was a sign-off within the coalition in relation to this. I am delighted that the Greens have moved it.

I say to Senator Fielding that, looking at it from an employer’s point of view, one of the reasons that we were against the last lot of amendments was that I would not want a circumstance to arise where, potentially, parents of disabled children are not employed because of a request that might be denied being taken to Fair Work Australia, where it will be adjudicated and forced upon the employer. Sometimes these things, which are meant with the best intentions in the world, can in fact have a negative impact. That is why I think that having just the request as it is now is a very major step forward. I understand that the government will also be supporting this amendment, and I am therefore delighted that there will be unity in the chamber and it will be unanimous that the disability sector is going to be recognised for the first time. Given the work I do with them in my home state of Tasmania, I am delighted, but we have to be careful that sometimes we do not overcook the egg in trying to be helpful because sometimes there can be adverse consequences.

I commend the fact that the Greens have moved this amendment and I think it is a great day on which the Senate, as I understand it, will be supporting this amendment unanimously.