Doug Cameron (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have had some brief discussions with the government in relation to the document I sought to table during question time today, the draft regulation impact statement, Fair Work principles and the Commonwealth cleaning service guidelines revocation. I think there is agreement that the document will be tabled. I therefore seek leave to table the document.

Leave granted.

Thank you. I table the document and I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Doug Cameron (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you. This document is the draft regulation impact statement. It clearly says, in attachment A, that 'cleaning workers on certain government contracts are likely to experience a reduction in wages at the end of their current contracts'. I think this is clearly the position the government is trying to achieve; a reduction in the pay rates of some of the poorest workers in this country, the cleaners in this parliament.

There is also what is on the website. On the website it says, 'the revocation of the principles and guidelines is expected to reduce compliance costs for firms tendering and providing goods'; and 'the reduction in costs is estimated to be in the order of $5 million per year'. It goes on to say that workers may receive 'lower remuneration when their current employment agreements expire'. This is clearly cost cutting by the government at the expense of some of the poorest workers in the country, and it is reprehensible. (Time expired)