Kate Lundy (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you for the second supplementary question. Members of the opposition have said that the reason they opposed the Employer Sanctions Billin the Senate—a bill which would enable the government to successfully prosecute members who wilfully ignore their responsibility—was that it would increase red tape for employers. That was the argument presented. I can tell the Senate again that not one extra requirement on employers, not one piece of red tape, not one additional process for employers to go through, occurred as a result of this legislation—not one; not a single new requirement for employers. This was made clear before the debate and during the debate and yet the opposition still opposed the bill. So there goes their smokescreen. Not only are they hypocritical on matters such as this is but they also cannot help themselves in opposing everything this government puts forward that is both constructive and fit for purpose and is designed to strengthen the system of our overseas temporary skilled worker program. (Time expired)