Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, upon notice, on 3 August 2012:

With reference to Budget estimates hearings of the Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Committee in May 2012:

(1) In regard to the answer to question no. EW0042 13 taken on notice during the hearings, and given that Senator Abetz is aware that the department is unable to comment on the Minister’s views on the policies of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) or the Australian Greens, does the Minister agree that the ACTU has adopted a number of Australian Greens’ policies.

(2) In regard to the answer to question no. EW0005 13 taken on notice during the hearings, what amount was paid to Mr Phillip Adams AO for his duties during the Pacific Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme Conference 2011.

(3) In regard to the answer to question no. EW0045 13 taken on notice during the hearings, and specifically in relation to paragraph 3, did the Minister discuss the amendments with any stakeholders prior to the amendments being passed; if so, which stakeholders.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

(1) The Minister has not conducted an analysis of the policies of the ACTU compared with the policies of the Australian Greens.

(2) The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations entered into an agreement with Celebrity Speakers for the Master of Ceremonies for the Pacific Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme Conference 2011, Mr Phillip Adams AO. The amount paid to Mr Adams by Celebrity Speakers is not known, however, the total cost to the Department was $17,531.00 (GST inclusive) which included Mr Adams’ fee, meals and airfares.

(3) The Government consulted with a number of stakeholders prior to the amendments being circulated. Details of those consultations remain a matter between the Government and the stakeholders.