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

Once again, Senator Cameron's question has in it a complete and utter vote of no confidence in both the workers negotiating their own arrangements under an enterprise bargaining agreement and the Fair Work Commission. It is the Fair Work Commission that determines the minimum rate of pay.

Senator Lines interjecting—

And if Senator Lines wants the parliament to make that ruling rather than the Fair Work Commission, let her campaign on that. But we will be going to the Australian people with a consistent message that we believe that minimum standards should be determined by the Fair Work Commission in the event that workers cannot sort out these things by negotiation with their employers. So the Labor Party, in a little stunt for the Australian Services Union, have created a precedent that is very dangerous for workplace relations in this country. (Time expired)