Mark Arbib (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Government Service Delivery) Share this | Hansard source

As I have said in my answer, the government is working closely with business and the horticultural and agricultural sectors to ensure that award modernisation proceeds smoothly, to ensure that costs are minimised and that employees benefit from the process. This is a reform that has taken too long to get to and this government is proud of the work that we are doing: 2,500 awards down to fewer than 150. That is a reform that is worthwhile. That is in the interest of the country, business and employees. This will add to the productive capacity of this country. I am proud of what the Deputy Prime Minister is doing. I am proud of the reform. Again, Labor is acting on something that the coalition thought for 12 years was too hard.