Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I just want to take issue with Senator Abetz saying that he does not think this will do much good. The coalition amendment moved last night and voted on this morning talked about issues of profitability to be taken into account—I take it that that is correct. This amendment takes into account issues of productivity, labour costs and the regulatory burden on businesses. With respect to Senator Abetz, I think it covers broader grounds and it encompasses the concerns of the coalition. As Senator Arbib, the Minister for Employment Participation, said, it is already reflected in part in other parts of the legislation. But by putting it here, fairly and squarely, it is a matter that must be considered in the award modernisation and the transition process.