Trish Crossin (NT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Carr. Can the minister inform the Senate how industry has responded to the Fair Work Bill?

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Crossin for her question. The Fair Work Bill, which was introduced into the House of Representatives earlier this week, marks a new beginning for Australian workplace relations. It marks a decisive break from Work Choices. This bill actually maximises cooperation, increases productivity and lifts prosperity. That is good news for employers and employees alike. The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry—that is, ACCI, Senator Ludwig—has acknowledged the reality—

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Carr, ignore your colleagues and those comments coming from across the chamber; just address the chair.

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

While ACCI did not get everything it wanted, it has said that changes were warranted and of course can be welcomed. It also noted that the new legislation creates ‘opportunities for increased productivity through enterprise bargaining’. The Australian Industry Group has welcomed the emergence of ‘a workable compromise’ from what was otherwise called excessive and testing negotiations over many months. It says the legislation has addressed the Ai Group’s concern that ‘important protections for employers’ be put in place. The Fair Work Bill delivers on Labor’s promise to create a new workplace relations system, and it builds on earlier action to abolish individual Australian workplace agreements. It restores balance and fairness to the workplace relations system. It restores dignity and respect for Australian workers. Unlike those opposite, Australians believe in giving people a fair go. (Time expired)

Trish Crossin (NT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Minister, thank you for that information informing us of the endorsement of the Fair Work Bill. I wondering whether you could now let us know how that bill will further the government’s innovation agenda.

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This bill provides certainty. I have said before that there is no more precious commodity in difficult times than certainty. The Fair Work Bill gives industry the certainty it needs to plan for the future. It gives employees the certainty they need to invest their time and their talents in their chosen work. It will foster mutual respect and cooperation. This is the key to harnessing creativity throughout the workplace—from the boardroom to the mailroom, from the executive suite to the factory floor. It gives the key to building partnerships and to reform and renewal in industry. The Fair Work Bill gives us more collaborative workplaces, more productive workplaces and workplaces where innovation can flourish. It will make Australia fairer now and stronger for the future. It is a marked departure from Work Choices. (Time expired)

Trish Crossin (NT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Minister, given that further explanation about the government’s innovation agenda, could you now let us know how the Fair Work Bill differs from other alternative approaches in the industries you look after?

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I certainly could offer some advice here. There are different views on workplace relations, and the opposition holds all of them. There are those who pine for a return to Work Choices and there are those, of course, who cannot repudiate the Howard legacy fast enough. There is, of course, Senator Abetz, who introduced the Work Choices legislation in this chamber, promising that it would give Australia ‘a brighter future’. Instead, it has left many Australians with no future at all.

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! I know we have but a few minutes left of question time, but it would be good to be able to hear the end of Senator Carr’s answer.

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Abetz contributed significantly to the election of a Labor government. He now takes the view that we should not give any blank cheques. That did not stop him spending 120 million taxpayers’ dollars on Work Choices propaganda. We simply do not know what the opposition stands for at the moment. (Time expired)