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

Unfortunately, Senator Lines does not seem to be able to accept the fact that, since we have been in government, because of the mess left to us by those on the other side we have had to undertake significant budget repair. And what has that meant? The government has been very up-front about the fact that it has required some wage moderation in this bargaining round. The government's offer has been on the table. It is a 1.5 per cent pay increase over three years. In return for the 1.5 per cent pay rise, we have asked for productivity gains.

Mr President, I do not know about you, but in the real world where Australians live, in the real world where people open businesses and risk their own money, you do not actually get a pay rise if you do not give a productivity gain. In voter land, when you are out having a coffee at a cafe, when you are having a beer at a pub, when you are having a sandwich at the local sandwich shop, the idea that you would get a pay rise and not have to offset that pay rise with a productivity gain, quite frankly, is unacceptable. So, yes, you are right, Senator Gallagher, there has been protected industrial action. (Time expired)