Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

I congratulate Senator Ketter on what I believe is his first question. I wish him a long and distinguished career but on that side of the chamber. I welcome his contribution to this place and acknowledge his longstanding interest in matters of workplace relations.

The Commission of Audit made certain recommendations about the minimum wage. As soon as those came out, I indicated, as Minister for Employment, that we had no intention whatsoever to change the manner in which the minimum wage was set in this country, namely via the Fair Work Commission. I understand my colleague Senator Cormann, in the finance aspects of Senate estimates, reconfirmed the government's position. We have indicated that the longstanding history in our nation of minimum wages being set by the independent umpire, formerly the Australian Industrials Relations Commission, now the Fair Work Commission, should continue. While the Commission of Audit report was to government, it was not a report of or from government and the government moved exceptionally quickly to close down that suggestion.