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

Senator Marshall, I see that you and I are going to be playing a tag team all night. Again, I am not in possession of that information. But, in relation to a number of the points that you have made—again—it is an opt-in scheme. It is as simple as that. If you want to undertake Commonwealth government work, yes, you will need to be code-compliant. If you do not, the scheme has absolutely nothing to do with you.

Everybody you refer to has had since April 2014 to get their affairs in order. There are numerous companies out there who have code-compliant agreements. In relation to those who do not, it is only if they are going to be affected by the changes to the code that they will have a vary their agreements. They have a considerable period of time in which they can do that under this amendment—until 31 August 2017. I would also say to you that this is something that the commission does on a regular basis. I am not going to underestimate the capacity of your appointment to the commission, President Ross, to undertake or to discharge his job in an incredibly diligent manner. This is bread-and-butter core business for the Fair Work Commission.

But I would also point out, Senator Cameron, as you know, government tenders are not awarded overnight. There is a process that needs to be gone through. During that time, these companies have the opportunity to vary their agreements—but only in the event that they require to.