Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Women) Share this | Hansard source

We appear to be going around in circles in terms of the certainty for investors. You do not agree with what we are trying to do, and what we are trying to do is make the position in relation to greenfield agreements a stronger position. Currently, there is no provision to bargain in good faith. We are bringing that into the greenfield process. Currently, there is no requirement for the Fair Work Commission to say, 'We will approve this agreement if it is in the public interest.' We are bringing that in. Currently, there is no requirement for the Fair Work Commission to look at the agreement and say, 'We are going to ensure that it complies with the relevant industry standards.' You cannot disagree that that is not a good thing in this process. In the event that you cannot reach agreement at the end of the six-month period, we now have a release valve—that is all this does—where the employer can say, 'We will go to the Fair Work Commission', and the Fair Work Commission is given that opportunity to have a look at the agreement and endorse it.