Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Abetz makes an excellent argument for why we need strong unfair dismissal laws in this country. I am aware that a lot of people do want casual work, but I challenge the concept that it is the preferred choice of work for most people. I do not believe that the argument Senator Abetz put up is the reason why workers should miss out on redundancy pay or entitlement. I know of many workers who have continued to be employed as long-term casuals who would prefer not to be, but it has been their only option. I believe those people deserve redundancy pay. It is clear that the chamber does not agree with me, which is unfortunate because I think it would progress a fairer and more robust industrial relations system.

I am disappointed that we continue to use Work Choices as a standard. It was in Work Choices. Part of the problem with this legislation is that it measures itself against Work Choices rather than what should be a fair industrial relations system. Many of our other amendments also seek to take us to a much fairer industrial relations system and not just measure the legislation against Work Choices, which we all agree significantly undermined workers’ rights.

Question negatived.