David Leyonhjelm (NSW, Liberal Democratic Party) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Employment Senator Abetz. In its recent draft report, the Productivity Commission stated that Sunday penalty rates for restaurants, cafes, retail, hospitality and entertainment should be aligned with Saturday rates. By coincidence, I have introduced a bill that exempts small business employers in the restaurant, catering, retail and hospitality industries from paying penalty rates simply because work is done on the weekend.

Do you agree with the Productivity Commission's analysis that reducing penalty rates for weekend work in these industries would increase employment and hours worked? Can you estimate the extent of increased employment and hours worked, if small business employers in these industries were no longer required to pay weekend penalty rates?