❓ The Minister for Women's Interests argues that the Howard government's proposed industrial relations changes will negatively impact women in WA, particularly those in low-paid and casual jobs, by undermining existing protections.
AnsweredQoN 598Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Will the minister please outline what effect the Howard government’s proposed industrial relations changes are likely to have on women in Western Australia? Ms S.M. McHALE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Wanneroo for the question and for her absolute commitment to promoting the interests of women in Western Australia. As members know, the Howard government is determined to make radical changes to our industrial relations system, which changes will take the pay and conditions for women backwards. The Howard government is determined to change unfair dismissal laws and the way in which minimum wages are set and to use individual contracts to undercut existing rights and conditions. These changes will take women’s pay and conditions backwards, because women are currently overrepresented in low-paid, casual jobs, and it is the low-paid, casual jobs that require the protection of awards, unions and collective agreements. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the third time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The member for Vasse needs to listen to my comments because he supports these amendments. He supports changes that will undercut and diminish the rights of women in Western Australia, and he should be ashamed of that. Two-thirds of Australia’s lowest paid workers are women; they rely on the minimum wages set by the independent umpire. The federal government will abolish that umpire. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms S.M. McHALE : Is it not interesting that when we talk about the rights of women the opposition gets very agitated? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Ms S.M. McHALE : That umpire will be abolished. The new government-appointed Fair Pay Commission will set the minimum wage. Let us look at how the Howard government has responded to the minimum wage cases. The Howard government - the government the opposition supports - has opposed every minimum wage increase sought since 1996. It is the minimum wage that best protects the lowest paid workers Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : In the industrial relations debate we must consider the facts. We must examine the record of the Howard government in protecting low-paid workers. It has failed miserably in that role. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for Wanneroo for the question and for her absolute commitment to promoting the interests of women in Western Australia. As members know, the Howard government is determined to make radical changes to our industrial relations system, which changes will take the pay and conditions for women backwards. The Howard government is determined to change unfair dismissal laws and the way in which minimum wages are set and to use individual contracts to undercut existing rights and conditions. These changes will take women’s pay and conditions backwards, because women are currently overrepresented in low-paid, casual jobs, and it is the low-paid, casual jobs that require the protection of awards, unions and collective agreements. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the third time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The member for Vasse needs to listen to my comments because he supports these amendments. He supports changes that will undercut and diminish the rights of women in Western Australia, and he should be ashamed of that. Two-thirds of Australia’s lowest paid workers are women; they rely on the minimum wages set by the independent umpire. The federal government will abolish that umpire. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms S.M. McHALE : Is it not interesting that when we talk about the rights of women the opposition gets very agitated? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Ms S.M. McHALE : That umpire will be abolished. The new government-appointed Fair Pay Commission will set the minimum wage. Let us look at how the Howard government has responded to the minimum wage cases. The Howard government - the government the opposition supports - has opposed every minimum wage increase sought since 1996. It is the minimum wage that best protects the lowest paid workers Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : In the industrial relations debate we must consider the facts. We must examine the record of the Howard government in protecting low-paid workers. It has failed miserably in that role. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
I thank the member for Wanneroo for the question and for her absolute commitment to promoting the interests of women in Western Australia. As members know, the Howard government is determined to make radical changes to our industrial relations system, which changes will take the pay and conditions for women backwards. The Howard government is determined to change unfair dismissal laws and the way in which minimum wages are set and to use individual contracts to undercut existing rights and conditions. These changes will take women’s pay and conditions backwards, because women are currently overrepresented in low-paid, casual jobs, and it is the low-paid, casual jobs that require the protection of awards, unions and collective agreements. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the third time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The member for Vasse needs to listen to my comments because he supports these amendments. He supports changes that will undercut and diminish the rights of women in Western Australia, and he should be ashamed of that. Two-thirds of Australia’s lowest paid workers are women; they rely on the minimum wages set by the independent umpire. The federal government will abolish that umpire. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms S.M. McHALE : Is it not interesting that when we talk about the rights of women the opposition gets very agitated? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Ms S.M. McHALE : That umpire will be abolished. The new government-appointed Fair Pay Commission will set the minimum wage. Let us look at how the Howard government has responded to the minimum wage cases. The Howard government - the government the opposition supports - has opposed every minimum wage increase sought since 1996. It is the minimum wage that best protects the lowest paid workers Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : In the industrial relations debate we must consider the facts. We must examine the record of the Howard government in protecting low-paid workers. It has failed miserably in that role. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
As members know, the Howard government is determined to make radical changes to our industrial relations system, which changes will take the pay and conditions for women backwards. The Howard government is determined to change unfair dismissal laws and the way in which minimum wages are set and to use individual contracts to undercut existing rights and conditions. These changes will take women’s pay and conditions backwards, because women are currently overrepresented in low-paid, casual jobs, and it is the low-paid, casual jobs that require the protection of awards, unions and collective agreements. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the third time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The member for Vasse needs to listen to my comments because he supports these amendments. He supports changes that will undercut and diminish the rights of women in Western Australia, and he should be ashamed of that. Two-thirds of Australia’s lowest paid workers are women; they rely on the minimum wages set by the independent umpire. The federal government will abolish that umpire. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms S.M. McHALE : Is it not interesting that when we talk about the rights of women the opposition gets very agitated? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Ms S.M. McHALE : That umpire will be abolished. The new government-appointed Fair Pay Commission will set the minimum wage. Let us look at how the Howard government has responded to the minimum wage cases. The Howard government - the government the opposition supports - has opposed every minimum wage increase sought since 1996. It is the minimum wage that best protects the lowest paid workers Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : In the industrial relations debate we must consider the facts. We must examine the record of the Howard government in protecting low-paid workers. It has failed miserably in that role. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the third time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The member for Vasse needs to listen to my comments because he supports these amendments. He supports changes that will undercut and diminish the rights of women in Western Australia, and he should be ashamed of that. Two-thirds of Australia’s lowest paid workers are women; they rely on the minimum wages set by the independent umpire. The federal government will abolish that umpire. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms S.M. McHALE : Is it not interesting that when we talk about the rights of women the opposition gets very agitated? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Ms S.M. McHALE : That umpire will be abolished. The new government-appointed Fair Pay Commission will set the minimum wage. Let us look at how the Howard government has responded to the minimum wage cases. The Howard government - the government the opposition supports - has opposed every minimum wage increase sought since 1996. It is the minimum wage that best protects the lowest paid workers Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : In the industrial relations debate we must consider the facts. We must examine the record of the Howard government in protecting low-paid workers. It has failed miserably in that role. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the third time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The member for Vasse needs to listen to my comments because he supports these amendments. He supports changes that will undercut and diminish the rights of women in Western Australia, and he should be ashamed of that. Two-thirds of Australia’s lowest paid workers are women; they rely on the minimum wages set by the independent umpire. The federal government will abolish that umpire. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms S.M. McHALE : Is it not interesting that when we talk about the rights of women the opposition gets very agitated? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Ms S.M. McHALE : That umpire will be abolished. The new government-appointed Fair Pay Commission will set the minimum wage. Let us look at how the Howard government has responded to the minimum wage cases. The Howard government - the government the opposition supports - has opposed every minimum wage increase sought since 1996. It is the minimum wage that best protects the lowest paid workers Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : In the industrial relations debate we must consider the facts. We must examine the record of the Howard government in protecting low-paid workers. It has failed miserably in that role. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
Ms S.M. McHALE : The member for Vasse needs to listen to my comments because he supports these amendments. He supports changes that will undercut and diminish the rights of women in Western Australia, and he should be ashamed of that. Two-thirds of Australia’s lowest paid workers are women; they rely on the minimum wages set by the independent umpire. The federal government will abolish that umpire. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms S.M. McHALE : Is it not interesting that when we talk about the rights of women the opposition gets very agitated? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Ms S.M. McHALE : That umpire will be abolished. The new government-appointed Fair Pay Commission will set the minimum wage. Let us look at how the Howard government has responded to the minimum wage cases. The Howard government - the government the opposition supports - has opposed every minimum wage increase sought since 1996. It is the minimum wage that best protects the lowest paid workers Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : In the industrial relations debate we must consider the facts. We must examine the record of the Howard government in protecting low-paid workers. It has failed miserably in that role. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms S.M. McHALE : Is it not interesting that when we talk about the rights of women the opposition gets very agitated? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Ms S.M. McHALE : That umpire will be abolished. The new government-appointed Fair Pay Commission will set the minimum wage. Let us look at how the Howard government has responded to the minimum wage cases. The Howard government - the government the opposition supports - has opposed every minimum wage increase sought since 1996. It is the minimum wage that best protects the lowest paid workers Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : In the industrial relations debate we must consider the facts. We must examine the record of the Howard government in protecting low-paid workers. It has failed miserably in that role. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms S.M. McHALE : Is it not interesting that when we talk about the rights of women the opposition gets very agitated? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Ms S.M. McHALE : That umpire will be abolished. The new government-appointed Fair Pay Commission will set the minimum wage. Let us look at how the Howard government has responded to the minimum wage cases. The Howard government - the government the opposition supports - has opposed every minimum wage increase sought since 1996. It is the minimum wage that best protects the lowest paid workers Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : In the industrial relations debate we must consider the facts. We must examine the record of the Howard government in protecting low-paid workers. It has failed miserably in that role. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
Ms S.M. McHALE : Is it not interesting that when we talk about the rights of women the opposition gets very agitated? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Ms S.M. McHALE : That umpire will be abolished. The new government-appointed Fair Pay Commission will set the minimum wage. Let us look at how the Howard government has responded to the minimum wage cases. The Howard government - the government the opposition supports - has opposed every minimum wage increase sought since 1996. It is the minimum wage that best protects the lowest paid workers Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : In the industrial relations debate we must consider the facts. We must examine the record of the Howard government in protecting low-paid workers. It has failed miserably in that role. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Ms S.M. McHALE : That umpire will be abolished. The new government-appointed Fair Pay Commission will set the minimum wage. Let us look at how the Howard government has responded to the minimum wage cases. The Howard government - the government the opposition supports - has opposed every minimum wage increase sought since 1996. It is the minimum wage that best protects the lowest paid workers Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : In the industrial relations debate we must consider the facts. We must examine the record of the Howard government in protecting low-paid workers. It has failed miserably in that role. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
The SPEAKER : Order! Ms S.M. McHALE : That umpire will be abolished. The new government-appointed Fair Pay Commission will set the minimum wage. Let us look at how the Howard government has responded to the minimum wage cases. The Howard government - the government the opposition supports - has opposed every minimum wage increase sought since 1996. It is the minimum wage that best protects the lowest paid workers Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : In the industrial relations debate we must consider the facts. We must examine the record of the Howard government in protecting low-paid workers. It has failed miserably in that role. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
Ms S.M. McHALE : That umpire will be abolished. The new government-appointed Fair Pay Commission will set the minimum wage. Let us look at how the Howard government has responded to the minimum wage cases. The Howard government - the government the opposition supports - has opposed every minimum wage increase sought since 1996. It is the minimum wage that best protects the lowest paid workers Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : In the industrial relations debate we must consider the facts. We must examine the record of the Howard government in protecting low-paid workers. It has failed miserably in that role. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : In the industrial relations debate we must consider the facts. We must examine the record of the Howard government in protecting low-paid workers. It has failed miserably in that role. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : In the industrial relations debate we must consider the facts. We must examine the record of the Howard government in protecting low-paid workers. It has failed miserably in that role. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
Ms S.M. McHALE : In the industrial relations debate we must consider the facts. We must examine the record of the Howard government in protecting low-paid workers. It has failed miserably in that role. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for Wanneroo for the question and for her absolute commitment to promoting the interests of women in Western Australia. As members know, the Howard government is determined to make radical changes to our industrial relations system, which changes will take the pay and conditions for women backwards. The Howard government is determined to change unfair dismissal laws and the way in which minimum wages are set and to use individual contracts to undercut existing rights and conditions. These changes will take women’s pay and conditions backwards, because women are currently overrepresented in low-paid, casual jobs, and it is the low-paid, casual jobs that require the protection of awards, unions and collective agreements. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the third time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The member for Vasse needs to listen to my comments because he supports these amendments. He supports changes that will undercut and diminish the rights of women in Western Australia, and he should be ashamed of that. Two-thirds of Australia’s lowest paid workers are women; they rely on the minimum wages set by the independent umpire. The federal government will abolish that umpire. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms S.M. McHALE : Is it not interesting that when we talk about the rights of women the opposition gets very agitated? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Ms S.M. McHALE : That umpire will be abolished. The new government-appointed Fair Pay Commission will set the minimum wage. Let us look at how the Howard government has responded to the minimum wage cases. The Howard government - the government the opposition supports - has opposed every minimum wage increase sought since 1996. It is the minimum wage that best protects the lowest paid workers Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : In the industrial relations debate we must consider the facts. We must examine the record of the Howard government in protecting low-paid workers. It has failed miserably in that role. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
I thank the member for Wanneroo for the question and for her absolute commitment to promoting the interests of women in Western Australia. As members know, the Howard government is determined to make radical changes to our industrial relations system, which changes will take the pay and conditions for women backwards. The Howard government is determined to change unfair dismissal laws and the way in which minimum wages are set and to use individual contracts to undercut existing rights and conditions. These changes will take women’s pay and conditions backwards, because women are currently overrepresented in low-paid, casual jobs, and it is the low-paid, casual jobs that require the protection of awards, unions and collective agreements. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the third time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The member for Vasse needs to listen to my comments because he supports these amendments. He supports changes that will undercut and diminish the rights of women in Western Australia, and he should be ashamed of that. Two-thirds of Australia’s lowest paid workers are women; they rely on the minimum wages set by the independent umpire. The federal government will abolish that umpire. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms S.M. McHALE : Is it not interesting that when we talk about the rights of women the opposition gets very agitated? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Ms S.M. McHALE : That umpire will be abolished. The new government-appointed Fair Pay Commission will set the minimum wage. Let us look at how the Howard government has responded to the minimum wage cases. The Howard government - the government the opposition supports - has opposed every minimum wage increase sought since 1996. It is the minimum wage that best protects the lowest paid workers Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : In the industrial relations debate we must consider the facts. We must examine the record of the Howard government in protecting low-paid workers. It has failed miserably in that role. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
As members know, the Howard government is determined to make radical changes to our industrial relations system, which changes will take the pay and conditions for women backwards. The Howard government is determined to change unfair dismissal laws and the way in which minimum wages are set and to use individual contracts to undercut existing rights and conditions. These changes will take women’s pay and conditions backwards, because women are currently overrepresented in low-paid, casual jobs, and it is the low-paid, casual jobs that require the protection of awards, unions and collective agreements. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the third time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The member for Vasse needs to listen to my comments because he supports these amendments. He supports changes that will undercut and diminish the rights of women in Western Australia, and he should be ashamed of that. Two-thirds of Australia’s lowest paid workers are women; they rely on the minimum wages set by the independent umpire. The federal government will abolish that umpire. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms S.M. McHALE : Is it not interesting that when we talk about the rights of women the opposition gets very agitated? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Ms S.M. McHALE : That umpire will be abolished. The new government-appointed Fair Pay Commission will set the minimum wage. Let us look at how the Howard government has responded to the minimum wage cases. The Howard government - the government the opposition supports - has opposed every minimum wage increase sought since 1996. It is the minimum wage that best protects the lowest paid workers Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : In the industrial relations debate we must consider the facts. We must examine the record of the Howard government in protecting low-paid workers. It has failed miserably in that role. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the third time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The member for Vasse needs to listen to my comments because he supports these amendments. He supports changes that will undercut and diminish the rights of women in Western Australia, and he should be ashamed of that. Two-thirds of Australia’s lowest paid workers are women; they rely on the minimum wages set by the independent umpire. The federal government will abolish that umpire. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms S.M. McHALE : Is it not interesting that when we talk about the rights of women the opposition gets very agitated? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Ms S.M. McHALE : That umpire will be abolished. The new government-appointed Fair Pay Commission will set the minimum wage. Let us look at how the Howard government has responded to the minimum wage cases. The Howard government - the government the opposition supports - has opposed every minimum wage increase sought since 1996. It is the minimum wage that best protects the lowest paid workers Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : In the industrial relations debate we must consider the facts. We must examine the record of the Howard government in protecting low-paid workers. It has failed miserably in that role. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the third time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The member for Vasse needs to listen to my comments because he supports these amendments. He supports changes that will undercut and diminish the rights of women in Western Australia, and he should be ashamed of that. Two-thirds of Australia’s lowest paid workers are women; they rely on the minimum wages set by the independent umpire. The federal government will abolish that umpire. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms S.M. McHALE : Is it not interesting that when we talk about the rights of women the opposition gets very agitated? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Ms S.M. McHALE : That umpire will be abolished. The new government-appointed Fair Pay Commission will set the minimum wage. Let us look at how the Howard government has responded to the minimum wage cases. The Howard government - the government the opposition supports - has opposed every minimum wage increase sought since 1996. It is the minimum wage that best protects the lowest paid workers Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : In the industrial relations debate we must consider the facts. We must examine the record of the Howard government in protecting low-paid workers. It has failed miserably in that role. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
Ms S.M. McHALE : The member for Vasse needs to listen to my comments because he supports these amendments. He supports changes that will undercut and diminish the rights of women in Western Australia, and he should be ashamed of that. Two-thirds of Australia’s lowest paid workers are women; they rely on the minimum wages set by the independent umpire. The federal government will abolish that umpire. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms S.M. McHALE : Is it not interesting that when we talk about the rights of women the opposition gets very agitated? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Ms S.M. McHALE : That umpire will be abolished. The new government-appointed Fair Pay Commission will set the minimum wage. Let us look at how the Howard government has responded to the minimum wage cases. The Howard government - the government the opposition supports - has opposed every minimum wage increase sought since 1996. It is the minimum wage that best protects the lowest paid workers Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : In the industrial relations debate we must consider the facts. We must examine the record of the Howard government in protecting low-paid workers. It has failed miserably in that role. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms S.M. McHALE : Is it not interesting that when we talk about the rights of women the opposition gets very agitated? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Ms S.M. McHALE : That umpire will be abolished. The new government-appointed Fair Pay Commission will set the minimum wage. Let us look at how the Howard government has responded to the minimum wage cases. The Howard government - the government the opposition supports - has opposed every minimum wage increase sought since 1996. It is the minimum wage that best protects the lowest paid workers Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : In the industrial relations debate we must consider the facts. We must examine the record of the Howard government in protecting low-paid workers. It has failed miserably in that role. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms S.M. McHALE : Is it not interesting that when we talk about the rights of women the opposition gets very agitated? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Ms S.M. McHALE : That umpire will be abolished. The new government-appointed Fair Pay Commission will set the minimum wage. Let us look at how the Howard government has responded to the minimum wage cases. The Howard government - the government the opposition supports - has opposed every minimum wage increase sought since 1996. It is the minimum wage that best protects the lowest paid workers Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : In the industrial relations debate we must consider the facts. We must examine the record of the Howard government in protecting low-paid workers. It has failed miserably in that role. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
Ms S.M. McHALE : Is it not interesting that when we talk about the rights of women the opposition gets very agitated? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Ms S.M. McHALE : That umpire will be abolished. The new government-appointed Fair Pay Commission will set the minimum wage. Let us look at how the Howard government has responded to the minimum wage cases. The Howard government - the government the opposition supports - has opposed every minimum wage increase sought since 1996. It is the minimum wage that best protects the lowest paid workers Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : In the industrial relations debate we must consider the facts. We must examine the record of the Howard government in protecting low-paid workers. It has failed miserably in that role. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Ms S.M. McHALE : That umpire will be abolished. The new government-appointed Fair Pay Commission will set the minimum wage. Let us look at how the Howard government has responded to the minimum wage cases. The Howard government - the government the opposition supports - has opposed every minimum wage increase sought since 1996. It is the minimum wage that best protects the lowest paid workers Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : In the industrial relations debate we must consider the facts. We must examine the record of the Howard government in protecting low-paid workers. It has failed miserably in that role. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
The SPEAKER : Order! Ms S.M. McHALE : That umpire will be abolished. The new government-appointed Fair Pay Commission will set the minimum wage. Let us look at how the Howard government has responded to the minimum wage cases. The Howard government - the government the opposition supports - has opposed every minimum wage increase sought since 1996. It is the minimum wage that best protects the lowest paid workers Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : In the industrial relations debate we must consider the facts. We must examine the record of the Howard government in protecting low-paid workers. It has failed miserably in that role. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
Ms S.M. McHALE : That umpire will be abolished. The new government-appointed Fair Pay Commission will set the minimum wage. Let us look at how the Howard government has responded to the minimum wage cases. The Howard government - the government the opposition supports - has opposed every minimum wage increase sought since 1996. It is the minimum wage that best protects the lowest paid workers Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : In the industrial relations debate we must consider the facts. We must examine the record of the Howard government in protecting low-paid workers. It has failed miserably in that role. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : In the industrial relations debate we must consider the facts. We must examine the record of the Howard government in protecting low-paid workers. It has failed miserably in that role. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : In the industrial relations debate we must consider the facts. We must examine the record of the Howard government in protecting low-paid workers. It has failed miserably in that role. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
Ms S.M. McHALE : In the industrial relations debate we must consider the facts. We must examine the record of the Howard government in protecting low-paid workers. It has failed miserably in that role. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know what the member for Alfred Cove said, but it was noisy, and I call her to order. Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
Ms S.M. McHALE : Women employed on individual workplace contracts earn only 70 percent of the average earnings of men on Australian workplace agreements. Women covered by awards earn 83 per cent of men’s average earnings. It is very clear that the direction of the Howard government, which is totally supported by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vasse and all opposition members, will lead to the erosion of working conditions and wages for women in Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition supports the Howard government reforms. It is very clear that under his reforms and those of the Howard government, women will be worse off. These reforms must be opposed vigorously. Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Capel to order for the first time.
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