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

I thank Senator Ketter for his question. Senator Ketter, I have already been asked a question in this place on penalty rates and I responded that the government's position was that penalty rates are set by the Fair Work Commission. That is and remains the government's position. I would, though, now take the opportunity to remind you that the only time that penalty rates have been changed by the Fair Work Commission—and, in fact, reduced—is as a result of a review commissioned by the now Leader of the Opposition, Mr Shorten. In addition to that—and thank you again for giving me the opportunity to remind those listening—the only person with a history in this place of ensuring that the lowest paid workers in this country have their penalty rates not just reduced but absolutely obliterated, slashed and cut without any compensation at all is, of course, the now Leader of the Opposition, Mr Shorten. This is what happens—