❓ The question concerns the potential negative impact of the Howard government's proposed industrial relations changes on WA workers and families. The answer accuses the opposition leader of hypocrisy, promising to implement similar policies at the state level.
AnsweredQoN 583Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Given the release on Sunday of further details about the extreme industrial relations changes proposed by the Howard government, what evidence is there that Western Australian workers and their families will not be worse off under these radical changes? Mr J.C. KOBELKE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. Regrettably, after having spent time on Sunday going through the Prime Minister’s web site, the evidence is that workers and their families will be far worse off under these changes. While doing my media research - I know that the Leader of the Opposition also made media comments about the Howard government’s changes - I was referred to the Leader of the Opposition’s speech to the Liberal Party state conference where he said, in part - My message to our Federal friends today is simple: Please resist the temptation to move into our area. Help us win the next election and we will implement most, if not all, of the policies that you would like to see with State legislation. The Leader of the Opposition is opposing the Howard government’s use of the Corporations Law to take over our industrial relations, but he is promising that, in return, he will implement most, if not all, of the same changes in state legislation. I ask the Leader of the Opposition whether that is correct. Mr M.J. Birney : You are already in disgrace. You should not even be on your feet this week. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition simply does not want to be honest in this place. Clearly, he has indicated to his own party that he will use state legislation to simply replicate most, if not all, the federal government’s policies in this area. However, when it comes to the detail, under the last state Liberal government, minimum wage setting was removed from the purview of the state Industrial Relations Commission. As a result, the minimum wage in this state was $50 a week below the minimum wage in the rest of Australia. Again that will be the result of the Howard government’s proposal. Is the Leader of the Opposition committed to minimum wages being set outside the Industrial Relations Commission? Mr M.J. Birney : You, my friend, should not even be talking in this house this week after the absolutely disgraceful performance you put on before the recess. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition shows again that he is a man without substance. He will say outside this place what he thinks is appropriate to a particular audience, but he will not back up his comments. He simply wants to run for cover by saying things that are totally irrelevant. What about workplace agreements? Under the Court government, workplace agreements were exploitative and led to wages being cut. The Howard proposals will achieve exactly the same outcome. We can therefore assume that, if his party wins government, the Leader of the Opposition will introduce state legislation that also will allow exploitative workplace agreements. We can read out a list, at the beginning of which is the Howard government’s removal of unfair dismissal appeal rights. Will the Leader of the Opposition give an undertaking to mirror the Howard government’s proposal to abolish unfair dismissal appeal rights? Mr M.J. Birney : We will make the system eminently fairer than it is now. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition is the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. He is quite willing to give undertakings. As long as Johnny Howard is prepared to come here and hold his hand and help him with his election campaign, he will jump as high as the Prime Minister asks him to. He is not willing to stick up for Western Australians. He is interested only in gaining the support of the Prime Minister. He will support the Prime Minister in inflicting on the people of Western Australia an industrial relations system that has prompted the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney to voice his concern about its effect on families. A range of church groups have said that people who are interested in families and fair working conditions, must stand up to Howard and his attempt to lower working standards in this nation. However, for the Leader of the Opposition it is another opportunity to be the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. Several members interjected. An opposition member: Woof, woof! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Before I give the call to the Leader of the National Party, as amusing as I think the member thinks that behaviour is, we are not at a football scrum, and the roar from the left is a bit overwhelming. I accept witty, intelligent interjections. Under the standing orders the member might have half a chance of it being accepted. However, if the member tries that behaviour again, this will be a very short question time.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for the question. Regrettably, after having spent time on Sunday going through the Prime Minister’s web site, the evidence is that workers and their families will be far worse off under these changes. While doing my media research - I know that the Leader of the Opposition also made media comments about the Howard government’s changes - I was referred to the Leader of the Opposition’s speech to the Liberal Party state conference where he said, in part - My message to our Federal friends today is simple: Please resist the temptation to move into our area. Help us win the next election and we will implement most, if not all, of the policies that you would like to see with State legislation. The Leader of the Opposition is opposing the Howard government’s use of the Corporations Law to take over our industrial relations, but he is promising that, in return, he will implement most, if not all, of the same changes in state legislation. I ask the Leader of the Opposition whether that is correct. Mr M.J. Birney : You are already in disgrace. You should not even be on your feet this week. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition simply does not want to be honest in this place. Clearly, he has indicated to his own party that he will use state legislation to simply replicate most, if not all, the federal government’s policies in this area. However, when it comes to the detail, under the last state Liberal government, minimum wage setting was removed from the purview of the state Industrial Relations Commission. As a result, the minimum wage in this state was $50 a week below the minimum wage in the rest of Australia. Again that will be the result of the Howard government’s proposal. Is the Leader of the Opposition committed to minimum wages being set outside the Industrial Relations Commission? Mr M.J. Birney : You, my friend, should not even be talking in this house this week after the absolutely disgraceful performance you put on before the recess. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition shows again that he is a man without substance. He will say outside this place what he thinks is appropriate to a particular audience, but he will not back up his comments. He simply wants to run for cover by saying things that are totally irrelevant. What about workplace agreements? Under the Court government, workplace agreements were exploitative and led to wages being cut. The Howard proposals will achieve exactly the same outcome. We can therefore assume that, if his party wins government, the Leader of the Opposition will introduce state legislation that also will allow exploitative workplace agreements. We can read out a list, at the beginning of which is the Howard government’s removal of unfair dismissal appeal rights. Will the Leader of the Opposition give an undertaking to mirror the Howard government’s proposal to abolish unfair dismissal appeal rights? Mr M.J. Birney : We will make the system eminently fairer than it is now. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition is the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. He is quite willing to give undertakings. As long as Johnny Howard is prepared to come here and hold his hand and help him with his election campaign, he will jump as high as the Prime Minister asks him to. He is not willing to stick up for Western Australians. He is interested only in gaining the support of the Prime Minister. He will support the Prime Minister in inflicting on the people of Western Australia an industrial relations system that has prompted the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney to voice his concern about its effect on families. A range of church groups have said that people who are interested in families and fair working conditions, must stand up to Howard and his attempt to lower working standards in this nation. However, for the Leader of the Opposition it is another opportunity to be the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. Several members interjected. An opposition member: Woof, woof! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Before I give the call to the Leader of the National Party, as amusing as I think the member thinks that behaviour is, we are not at a football scrum, and the roar from the left is a bit overwhelming. I accept witty, intelligent interjections. Under the standing orders the member might have half a chance of it being accepted. However, if the member tries that behaviour again, this will be a very short question time.
I thank the member for the question. Regrettably, after having spent time on Sunday going through the Prime Minister’s web site, the evidence is that workers and their families will be far worse off under these changes. While doing my media research - I know that the Leader of the Opposition also made media comments about the Howard government’s changes - I was referred to the Leader of the Opposition’s speech to the Liberal Party state conference where he said, in part - My message to our Federal friends today is simple: Please resist the temptation to move into our area. Help us win the next election and we will implement most, if not all, of the policies that you would like to see with State legislation. The Leader of the Opposition is opposing the Howard government’s use of the Corporations Law to take over our industrial relations, but he is promising that, in return, he will implement most, if not all, of the same changes in state legislation. I ask the Leader of the Opposition whether that is correct. Mr M.J. Birney : You are already in disgrace. You should not even be on your feet this week. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition simply does not want to be honest in this place. Clearly, he has indicated to his own party that he will use state legislation to simply replicate most, if not all, the federal government’s policies in this area. However, when it comes to the detail, under the last state Liberal government, minimum wage setting was removed from the purview of the state Industrial Relations Commission. As a result, the minimum wage in this state was $50 a week below the minimum wage in the rest of Australia. Again that will be the result of the Howard government’s proposal. Is the Leader of the Opposition committed to minimum wages being set outside the Industrial Relations Commission? Mr M.J. Birney : You, my friend, should not even be talking in this house this week after the absolutely disgraceful performance you put on before the recess. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition shows again that he is a man without substance. He will say outside this place what he thinks is appropriate to a particular audience, but he will not back up his comments. He simply wants to run for cover by saying things that are totally irrelevant. What about workplace agreements? Under the Court government, workplace agreements were exploitative and led to wages being cut. The Howard proposals will achieve exactly the same outcome. We can therefore assume that, if his party wins government, the Leader of the Opposition will introduce state legislation that also will allow exploitative workplace agreements. We can read out a list, at the beginning of which is the Howard government’s removal of unfair dismissal appeal rights. Will the Leader of the Opposition give an undertaking to mirror the Howard government’s proposal to abolish unfair dismissal appeal rights? Mr M.J. Birney : We will make the system eminently fairer than it is now. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition is the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. He is quite willing to give undertakings. As long as Johnny Howard is prepared to come here and hold his hand and help him with his election campaign, he will jump as high as the Prime Minister asks him to. He is not willing to stick up for Western Australians. He is interested only in gaining the support of the Prime Minister. He will support the Prime Minister in inflicting on the people of Western Australia an industrial relations system that has prompted the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney to voice his concern about its effect on families. A range of church groups have said that people who are interested in families and fair working conditions, must stand up to Howard and his attempt to lower working standards in this nation. However, for the Leader of the Opposition it is another opportunity to be the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. Several members interjected. An opposition member: Woof, woof! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Before I give the call to the Leader of the National Party, as amusing as I think the member thinks that behaviour is, we are not at a football scrum, and the roar from the left is a bit overwhelming. I accept witty, intelligent interjections. Under the standing orders the member might have half a chance of it being accepted. However, if the member tries that behaviour again, this will be a very short question time.
I ask the Leader of the Opposition whether that is correct. Mr M.J. Birney : You are already in disgrace. You should not even be on your feet this week. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition simply does not want to be honest in this place. Clearly, he has indicated to his own party that he will use state legislation to simply replicate most, if not all, the federal government’s policies in this area. However, when it comes to the detail, under the last state Liberal government, minimum wage setting was removed from the purview of the state Industrial Relations Commission. As a result, the minimum wage in this state was $50 a week below the minimum wage in the rest of Australia. Again that will be the result of the Howard government’s proposal. Is the Leader of the Opposition committed to minimum wages being set outside the Industrial Relations Commission? Mr M.J. Birney : You, my friend, should not even be talking in this house this week after the absolutely disgraceful performance you put on before the recess. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition shows again that he is a man without substance. He will say outside this place what he thinks is appropriate to a particular audience, but he will not back up his comments. He simply wants to run for cover by saying things that are totally irrelevant. What about workplace agreements? Under the Court government, workplace agreements were exploitative and led to wages being cut. The Howard proposals will achieve exactly the same outcome. We can therefore assume that, if his party wins government, the Leader of the Opposition will introduce state legislation that also will allow exploitative workplace agreements. We can read out a list, at the beginning of which is the Howard government’s removal of unfair dismissal appeal rights. Will the Leader of the Opposition give an undertaking to mirror the Howard government’s proposal to abolish unfair dismissal appeal rights? Mr M.J. Birney : We will make the system eminently fairer than it is now. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition is the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. He is quite willing to give undertakings. As long as Johnny Howard is prepared to come here and hold his hand and help him with his election campaign, he will jump as high as the Prime Minister asks him to. He is not willing to stick up for Western Australians. He is interested only in gaining the support of the Prime Minister. He will support the Prime Minister in inflicting on the people of Western Australia an industrial relations system that has prompted the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney to voice his concern about its effect on families. A range of church groups have said that people who are interested in families and fair working conditions, must stand up to Howard and his attempt to lower working standards in this nation. However, for the Leader of the Opposition it is another opportunity to be the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. Several members interjected. An opposition member: Woof, woof! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Before I give the call to the Leader of the National Party, as amusing as I think the member thinks that behaviour is, we are not at a football scrum, and the roar from the left is a bit overwhelming. I accept witty, intelligent interjections. Under the standing orders the member might have half a chance of it being accepted. However, if the member tries that behaviour again, this will be a very short question time.
Mr M.J. Birney : You are already in disgrace. You should not even be on your feet this week. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition simply does not want to be honest in this place. Clearly, he has indicated to his own party that he will use state legislation to simply replicate most, if not all, the federal government’s policies in this area. However, when it comes to the detail, under the last state Liberal government, minimum wage setting was removed from the purview of the state Industrial Relations Commission. As a result, the minimum wage in this state was $50 a week below the minimum wage in the rest of Australia. Again that will be the result of the Howard government’s proposal. Is the Leader of the Opposition committed to minimum wages being set outside the Industrial Relations Commission? Mr M.J. Birney : You, my friend, should not even be talking in this house this week after the absolutely disgraceful performance you put on before the recess. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition shows again that he is a man without substance. He will say outside this place what he thinks is appropriate to a particular audience, but he will not back up his comments. He simply wants to run for cover by saying things that are totally irrelevant. What about workplace agreements? Under the Court government, workplace agreements were exploitative and led to wages being cut. The Howard proposals will achieve exactly the same outcome. We can therefore assume that, if his party wins government, the Leader of the Opposition will introduce state legislation that also will allow exploitative workplace agreements. We can read out a list, at the beginning of which is the Howard government’s removal of unfair dismissal appeal rights. Will the Leader of the Opposition give an undertaking to mirror the Howard government’s proposal to abolish unfair dismissal appeal rights? Mr M.J. Birney : We will make the system eminently fairer than it is now. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition is the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. He is quite willing to give undertakings. As long as Johnny Howard is prepared to come here and hold his hand and help him with his election campaign, he will jump as high as the Prime Minister asks him to. He is not willing to stick up for Western Australians. He is interested only in gaining the support of the Prime Minister. He will support the Prime Minister in inflicting on the people of Western Australia an industrial relations system that has prompted the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney to voice his concern about its effect on families. A range of church groups have said that people who are interested in families and fair working conditions, must stand up to Howard and his attempt to lower working standards in this nation. However, for the Leader of the Opposition it is another opportunity to be the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. Several members interjected. An opposition member: Woof, woof! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Before I give the call to the Leader of the National Party, as amusing as I think the member thinks that behaviour is, we are not at a football scrum, and the roar from the left is a bit overwhelming. I accept witty, intelligent interjections. Under the standing orders the member might have half a chance of it being accepted. However, if the member tries that behaviour again, this will be a very short question time.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition simply does not want to be honest in this place. Clearly, he has indicated to his own party that he will use state legislation to simply replicate most, if not all, the federal government’s policies in this area. However, when it comes to the detail, under the last state Liberal government, minimum wage setting was removed from the purview of the state Industrial Relations Commission. As a result, the minimum wage in this state was $50 a week below the minimum wage in the rest of Australia. Again that will be the result of the Howard government’s proposal. Is the Leader of the Opposition committed to minimum wages being set outside the Industrial Relations Commission? Mr M.J. Birney : You, my friend, should not even be talking in this house this week after the absolutely disgraceful performance you put on before the recess. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition shows again that he is a man without substance. He will say outside this place what he thinks is appropriate to a particular audience, but he will not back up his comments. He simply wants to run for cover by saying things that are totally irrelevant. What about workplace agreements? Under the Court government, workplace agreements were exploitative and led to wages being cut. The Howard proposals will achieve exactly the same outcome. We can therefore assume that, if his party wins government, the Leader of the Opposition will introduce state legislation that also will allow exploitative workplace agreements. We can read out a list, at the beginning of which is the Howard government’s removal of unfair dismissal appeal rights. Will the Leader of the Opposition give an undertaking to mirror the Howard government’s proposal to abolish unfair dismissal appeal rights? Mr M.J. Birney : We will make the system eminently fairer than it is now. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition is the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. He is quite willing to give undertakings. As long as Johnny Howard is prepared to come here and hold his hand and help him with his election campaign, he will jump as high as the Prime Minister asks him to. He is not willing to stick up for Western Australians. He is interested only in gaining the support of the Prime Minister. He will support the Prime Minister in inflicting on the people of Western Australia an industrial relations system that has prompted the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney to voice his concern about its effect on families. A range of church groups have said that people who are interested in families and fair working conditions, must stand up to Howard and his attempt to lower working standards in this nation. However, for the Leader of the Opposition it is another opportunity to be the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. Several members interjected. An opposition member: Woof, woof! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Before I give the call to the Leader of the National Party, as amusing as I think the member thinks that behaviour is, we are not at a football scrum, and the roar from the left is a bit overwhelming. I accept witty, intelligent interjections. Under the standing orders the member might have half a chance of it being accepted. However, if the member tries that behaviour again, this will be a very short question time.
Clearly, he has indicated to his own party that he will use state legislation to simply replicate most, if not all, the federal government’s policies in this area. However, when it comes to the detail, under the last state Liberal government, minimum wage setting was removed from the purview of the state Industrial Relations Commission. As a result, the minimum wage in this state was $50 a week below the minimum wage in the rest of Australia. Again that will be the result of the Howard government’s proposal. Is the Leader of the Opposition committed to minimum wages being set outside the Industrial Relations Commission? Mr M.J. Birney : You, my friend, should not even be talking in this house this week after the absolutely disgraceful performance you put on before the recess. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition shows again that he is a man without substance. He will say outside this place what he thinks is appropriate to a particular audience, but he will not back up his comments. He simply wants to run for cover by saying things that are totally irrelevant. What about workplace agreements? Under the Court government, workplace agreements were exploitative and led to wages being cut. The Howard proposals will achieve exactly the same outcome. We can therefore assume that, if his party wins government, the Leader of the Opposition will introduce state legislation that also will allow exploitative workplace agreements. We can read out a list, at the beginning of which is the Howard government’s removal of unfair dismissal appeal rights. Will the Leader of the Opposition give an undertaking to mirror the Howard government’s proposal to abolish unfair dismissal appeal rights? Mr M.J. Birney : We will make the system eminently fairer than it is now. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition is the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. He is quite willing to give undertakings. As long as Johnny Howard is prepared to come here and hold his hand and help him with his election campaign, he will jump as high as the Prime Minister asks him to. He is not willing to stick up for Western Australians. He is interested only in gaining the support of the Prime Minister. He will support the Prime Minister in inflicting on the people of Western Australia an industrial relations system that has prompted the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney to voice his concern about its effect on families. A range of church groups have said that people who are interested in families and fair working conditions, must stand up to Howard and his attempt to lower working standards in this nation. However, for the Leader of the Opposition it is another opportunity to be the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. Several members interjected. An opposition member: Woof, woof! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Before I give the call to the Leader of the National Party, as amusing as I think the member thinks that behaviour is, we are not at a football scrum, and the roar from the left is a bit overwhelming. I accept witty, intelligent interjections. Under the standing orders the member might have half a chance of it being accepted. However, if the member tries that behaviour again, this will be a very short question time.
Mr M.J. Birney : You, my friend, should not even be talking in this house this week after the absolutely disgraceful performance you put on before the recess. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition shows again that he is a man without substance. He will say outside this place what he thinks is appropriate to a particular audience, but he will not back up his comments. He simply wants to run for cover by saying things that are totally irrelevant. What about workplace agreements? Under the Court government, workplace agreements were exploitative and led to wages being cut. The Howard proposals will achieve exactly the same outcome. We can therefore assume that, if his party wins government, the Leader of the Opposition will introduce state legislation that also will allow exploitative workplace agreements. We can read out a list, at the beginning of which is the Howard government’s removal of unfair dismissal appeal rights. Will the Leader of the Opposition give an undertaking to mirror the Howard government’s proposal to abolish unfair dismissal appeal rights? Mr M.J. Birney : We will make the system eminently fairer than it is now. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition is the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. He is quite willing to give undertakings. As long as Johnny Howard is prepared to come here and hold his hand and help him with his election campaign, he will jump as high as the Prime Minister asks him to. He is not willing to stick up for Western Australians. He is interested only in gaining the support of the Prime Minister. He will support the Prime Minister in inflicting on the people of Western Australia an industrial relations system that has prompted the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney to voice his concern about its effect on families. A range of church groups have said that people who are interested in families and fair working conditions, must stand up to Howard and his attempt to lower working standards in this nation. However, for the Leader of the Opposition it is another opportunity to be the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. Several members interjected. An opposition member: Woof, woof! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Before I give the call to the Leader of the National Party, as amusing as I think the member thinks that behaviour is, we are not at a football scrum, and the roar from the left is a bit overwhelming. I accept witty, intelligent interjections. Under the standing orders the member might have half a chance of it being accepted. However, if the member tries that behaviour again, this will be a very short question time.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition shows again that he is a man without substance. He will say outside this place what he thinks is appropriate to a particular audience, but he will not back up his comments. He simply wants to run for cover by saying things that are totally irrelevant. What about workplace agreements? Under the Court government, workplace agreements were exploitative and led to wages being cut. The Howard proposals will achieve exactly the same outcome. We can therefore assume that, if his party wins government, the Leader of the Opposition will introduce state legislation that also will allow exploitative workplace agreements. We can read out a list, at the beginning of which is the Howard government’s removal of unfair dismissal appeal rights. Will the Leader of the Opposition give an undertaking to mirror the Howard government’s proposal to abolish unfair dismissal appeal rights? Mr M.J. Birney : We will make the system eminently fairer than it is now. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition is the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. He is quite willing to give undertakings. As long as Johnny Howard is prepared to come here and hold his hand and help him with his election campaign, he will jump as high as the Prime Minister asks him to. He is not willing to stick up for Western Australians. He is interested only in gaining the support of the Prime Minister. He will support the Prime Minister in inflicting on the people of Western Australia an industrial relations system that has prompted the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney to voice his concern about its effect on families. A range of church groups have said that people who are interested in families and fair working conditions, must stand up to Howard and his attempt to lower working standards in this nation. However, for the Leader of the Opposition it is another opportunity to be the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. Several members interjected. An opposition member: Woof, woof! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Before I give the call to the Leader of the National Party, as amusing as I think the member thinks that behaviour is, we are not at a football scrum, and the roar from the left is a bit overwhelming. I accept witty, intelligent interjections. Under the standing orders the member might have half a chance of it being accepted. However, if the member tries that behaviour again, this will be a very short question time.
What about workplace agreements? Under the Court government, workplace agreements were exploitative and led to wages being cut. The Howard proposals will achieve exactly the same outcome. We can therefore assume that, if his party wins government, the Leader of the Opposition will introduce state legislation that also will allow exploitative workplace agreements. We can read out a list, at the beginning of which is the Howard government’s removal of unfair dismissal appeal rights. Will the Leader of the Opposition give an undertaking to mirror the Howard government’s proposal to abolish unfair dismissal appeal rights? Mr M.J. Birney : We will make the system eminently fairer than it is now. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition is the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. He is quite willing to give undertakings. As long as Johnny Howard is prepared to come here and hold his hand and help him with his election campaign, he will jump as high as the Prime Minister asks him to. He is not willing to stick up for Western Australians. He is interested only in gaining the support of the Prime Minister. He will support the Prime Minister in inflicting on the people of Western Australia an industrial relations system that has prompted the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney to voice his concern about its effect on families. A range of church groups have said that people who are interested in families and fair working conditions, must stand up to Howard and his attempt to lower working standards in this nation. However, for the Leader of the Opposition it is another opportunity to be the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. Several members interjected. An opposition member: Woof, woof! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Before I give the call to the Leader of the National Party, as amusing as I think the member thinks that behaviour is, we are not at a football scrum, and the roar from the left is a bit overwhelming. I accept witty, intelligent interjections. Under the standing orders the member might have half a chance of it being accepted. However, if the member tries that behaviour again, this will be a very short question time.
Mr M.J. Birney : We will make the system eminently fairer than it is now. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition is the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. He is quite willing to give undertakings. As long as Johnny Howard is prepared to come here and hold his hand and help him with his election campaign, he will jump as high as the Prime Minister asks him to. He is not willing to stick up for Western Australians. He is interested only in gaining the support of the Prime Minister. He will support the Prime Minister in inflicting on the people of Western Australia an industrial relations system that has prompted the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney to voice his concern about its effect on families. A range of church groups have said that people who are interested in families and fair working conditions, must stand up to Howard and his attempt to lower working standards in this nation. However, for the Leader of the Opposition it is another opportunity to be the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. Several members interjected. An opposition member: Woof, woof! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Before I give the call to the Leader of the National Party, as amusing as I think the member thinks that behaviour is, we are not at a football scrum, and the roar from the left is a bit overwhelming. I accept witty, intelligent interjections. Under the standing orders the member might have half a chance of it being accepted. However, if the member tries that behaviour again, this will be a very short question time.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition is the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. He is quite willing to give undertakings. As long as Johnny Howard is prepared to come here and hold his hand and help him with his election campaign, he will jump as high as the Prime Minister asks him to. He is not willing to stick up for Western Australians. He is interested only in gaining the support of the Prime Minister. He will support the Prime Minister in inflicting on the people of Western Australia an industrial relations system that has prompted the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney to voice his concern about its effect on families. A range of church groups have said that people who are interested in families and fair working conditions, must stand up to Howard and his attempt to lower working standards in this nation. However, for the Leader of the Opposition it is another opportunity to be the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. Several members interjected. An opposition member: Woof, woof! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Before I give the call to the Leader of the National Party, as amusing as I think the member thinks that behaviour is, we are not at a football scrum, and the roar from the left is a bit overwhelming. I accept witty, intelligent interjections. Under the standing orders the member might have half a chance of it being accepted. However, if the member tries that behaviour again, this will be a very short question time.
Several members interjected. An opposition member: Woof, woof! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Before I give the call to the Leader of the National Party, as amusing as I think the member thinks that behaviour is, we are not at a football scrum, and the roar from the left is a bit overwhelming. I accept witty, intelligent interjections. Under the standing orders the member might have half a chance of it being accepted. However, if the member tries that behaviour again, this will be a very short question time.
An opposition member: Woof, woof! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Before I give the call to the Leader of the National Party, as amusing as I think the member thinks that behaviour is, we are not at a football scrum, and the roar from the left is a bit overwhelming. I accept witty, intelligent interjections. Under the standing orders the member might have half a chance of it being accepted. However, if the member tries that behaviour again, this will be a very short question time.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Before I give the call to the Leader of the National Party, as amusing as I think the member thinks that behaviour is, we are not at a football scrum, and the roar from the left is a bit overwhelming. I accept witty, intelligent interjections. Under the standing orders the member might have half a chance of it being accepted. However, if the member tries that behaviour again, this will be a very short question time.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for the question. Regrettably, after having spent time on Sunday going through the Prime Minister’s web site, the evidence is that workers and their families will be far worse off under these changes. While doing my media research - I know that the Leader of the Opposition also made media comments about the Howard government’s changes - I was referred to the Leader of the Opposition’s speech to the Liberal Party state conference where he said, in part - My message to our Federal friends today is simple: Please resist the temptation to move into our area. Help us win the next election and we will implement most, if not all, of the policies that you would like to see with State legislation. The Leader of the Opposition is opposing the Howard government’s use of the Corporations Law to take over our industrial relations, but he is promising that, in return, he will implement most, if not all, of the same changes in state legislation. I ask the Leader of the Opposition whether that is correct. Mr M.J. Birney : You are already in disgrace. You should not even be on your feet this week. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition simply does not want to be honest in this place. Clearly, he has indicated to his own party that he will use state legislation to simply replicate most, if not all, the federal government’s policies in this area. However, when it comes to the detail, under the last state Liberal government, minimum wage setting was removed from the purview of the state Industrial Relations Commission. As a result, the minimum wage in this state was $50 a week below the minimum wage in the rest of Australia. Again that will be the result of the Howard government’s proposal. Is the Leader of the Opposition committed to minimum wages being set outside the Industrial Relations Commission? Mr M.J. Birney : You, my friend, should not even be talking in this house this week after the absolutely disgraceful performance you put on before the recess. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition shows again that he is a man without substance. He will say outside this place what he thinks is appropriate to a particular audience, but he will not back up his comments. He simply wants to run for cover by saying things that are totally irrelevant. What about workplace agreements? Under the Court government, workplace agreements were exploitative and led to wages being cut. The Howard proposals will achieve exactly the same outcome. We can therefore assume that, if his party wins government, the Leader of the Opposition will introduce state legislation that also will allow exploitative workplace agreements. We can read out a list, at the beginning of which is the Howard government’s removal of unfair dismissal appeal rights. Will the Leader of the Opposition give an undertaking to mirror the Howard government’s proposal to abolish unfair dismissal appeal rights? Mr M.J. Birney : We will make the system eminently fairer than it is now. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition is the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. He is quite willing to give undertakings. As long as Johnny Howard is prepared to come here and hold his hand and help him with his election campaign, he will jump as high as the Prime Minister asks him to. He is not willing to stick up for Western Australians. He is interested only in gaining the support of the Prime Minister. He will support the Prime Minister in inflicting on the people of Western Australia an industrial relations system that has prompted the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney to voice his concern about its effect on families. A range of church groups have said that people who are interested in families and fair working conditions, must stand up to Howard and his attempt to lower working standards in this nation. However, for the Leader of the Opposition it is another opportunity to be the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. Several members interjected. An opposition member: Woof, woof! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Before I give the call to the Leader of the National Party, as amusing as I think the member thinks that behaviour is, we are not at a football scrum, and the roar from the left is a bit overwhelming. I accept witty, intelligent interjections. Under the standing orders the member might have half a chance of it being accepted. However, if the member tries that behaviour again, this will be a very short question time.
I thank the member for the question. Regrettably, after having spent time on Sunday going through the Prime Minister’s web site, the evidence is that workers and their families will be far worse off under these changes. While doing my media research - I know that the Leader of the Opposition also made media comments about the Howard government’s changes - I was referred to the Leader of the Opposition’s speech to the Liberal Party state conference where he said, in part - My message to our Federal friends today is simple: Please resist the temptation to move into our area. Help us win the next election and we will implement most, if not all, of the policies that you would like to see with State legislation. The Leader of the Opposition is opposing the Howard government’s use of the Corporations Law to take over our industrial relations, but he is promising that, in return, he will implement most, if not all, of the same changes in state legislation. I ask the Leader of the Opposition whether that is correct. Mr M.J. Birney : You are already in disgrace. You should not even be on your feet this week. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition simply does not want to be honest in this place. Clearly, he has indicated to his own party that he will use state legislation to simply replicate most, if not all, the federal government’s policies in this area. However, when it comes to the detail, under the last state Liberal government, minimum wage setting was removed from the purview of the state Industrial Relations Commission. As a result, the minimum wage in this state was $50 a week below the minimum wage in the rest of Australia. Again that will be the result of the Howard government’s proposal. Is the Leader of the Opposition committed to minimum wages being set outside the Industrial Relations Commission? Mr M.J. Birney : You, my friend, should not even be talking in this house this week after the absolutely disgraceful performance you put on before the recess. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition shows again that he is a man without substance. He will say outside this place what he thinks is appropriate to a particular audience, but he will not back up his comments. He simply wants to run for cover by saying things that are totally irrelevant. What about workplace agreements? Under the Court government, workplace agreements were exploitative and led to wages being cut. The Howard proposals will achieve exactly the same outcome. We can therefore assume that, if his party wins government, the Leader of the Opposition will introduce state legislation that also will allow exploitative workplace agreements. We can read out a list, at the beginning of which is the Howard government’s removal of unfair dismissal appeal rights. Will the Leader of the Opposition give an undertaking to mirror the Howard government’s proposal to abolish unfair dismissal appeal rights? Mr M.J. Birney : We will make the system eminently fairer than it is now. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition is the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. He is quite willing to give undertakings. As long as Johnny Howard is prepared to come here and hold his hand and help him with his election campaign, he will jump as high as the Prime Minister asks him to. He is not willing to stick up for Western Australians. He is interested only in gaining the support of the Prime Minister. He will support the Prime Minister in inflicting on the people of Western Australia an industrial relations system that has prompted the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney to voice his concern about its effect on families. A range of church groups have said that people who are interested in families and fair working conditions, must stand up to Howard and his attempt to lower working standards in this nation. However, for the Leader of the Opposition it is another opportunity to be the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. Several members interjected. An opposition member: Woof, woof! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Before I give the call to the Leader of the National Party, as amusing as I think the member thinks that behaviour is, we are not at a football scrum, and the roar from the left is a bit overwhelming. I accept witty, intelligent interjections. Under the standing orders the member might have half a chance of it being accepted. However, if the member tries that behaviour again, this will be a very short question time.
I ask the Leader of the Opposition whether that is correct. Mr M.J. Birney : You are already in disgrace. You should not even be on your feet this week. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition simply does not want to be honest in this place. Clearly, he has indicated to his own party that he will use state legislation to simply replicate most, if not all, the federal government’s policies in this area. However, when it comes to the detail, under the last state Liberal government, minimum wage setting was removed from the purview of the state Industrial Relations Commission. As a result, the minimum wage in this state was $50 a week below the minimum wage in the rest of Australia. Again that will be the result of the Howard government’s proposal. Is the Leader of the Opposition committed to minimum wages being set outside the Industrial Relations Commission? Mr M.J. Birney : You, my friend, should not even be talking in this house this week after the absolutely disgraceful performance you put on before the recess. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition shows again that he is a man without substance. He will say outside this place what he thinks is appropriate to a particular audience, but he will not back up his comments. He simply wants to run for cover by saying things that are totally irrelevant. What about workplace agreements? Under the Court government, workplace agreements were exploitative and led to wages being cut. The Howard proposals will achieve exactly the same outcome. We can therefore assume that, if his party wins government, the Leader of the Opposition will introduce state legislation that also will allow exploitative workplace agreements. We can read out a list, at the beginning of which is the Howard government’s removal of unfair dismissal appeal rights. Will the Leader of the Opposition give an undertaking to mirror the Howard government’s proposal to abolish unfair dismissal appeal rights? Mr M.J. Birney : We will make the system eminently fairer than it is now. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition is the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. He is quite willing to give undertakings. As long as Johnny Howard is prepared to come here and hold his hand and help him with his election campaign, he will jump as high as the Prime Minister asks him to. He is not willing to stick up for Western Australians. He is interested only in gaining the support of the Prime Minister. He will support the Prime Minister in inflicting on the people of Western Australia an industrial relations system that has prompted the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney to voice his concern about its effect on families. A range of church groups have said that people who are interested in families and fair working conditions, must stand up to Howard and his attempt to lower working standards in this nation. However, for the Leader of the Opposition it is another opportunity to be the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. Several members interjected. An opposition member: Woof, woof! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Before I give the call to the Leader of the National Party, as amusing as I think the member thinks that behaviour is, we are not at a football scrum, and the roar from the left is a bit overwhelming. I accept witty, intelligent interjections. Under the standing orders the member might have half a chance of it being accepted. However, if the member tries that behaviour again, this will be a very short question time.
Mr M.J. Birney : You are already in disgrace. You should not even be on your feet this week. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition simply does not want to be honest in this place. Clearly, he has indicated to his own party that he will use state legislation to simply replicate most, if not all, the federal government’s policies in this area. However, when it comes to the detail, under the last state Liberal government, minimum wage setting was removed from the purview of the state Industrial Relations Commission. As a result, the minimum wage in this state was $50 a week below the minimum wage in the rest of Australia. Again that will be the result of the Howard government’s proposal. Is the Leader of the Opposition committed to minimum wages being set outside the Industrial Relations Commission? Mr M.J. Birney : You, my friend, should not even be talking in this house this week after the absolutely disgraceful performance you put on before the recess. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition shows again that he is a man without substance. He will say outside this place what he thinks is appropriate to a particular audience, but he will not back up his comments. He simply wants to run for cover by saying things that are totally irrelevant. What about workplace agreements? Under the Court government, workplace agreements were exploitative and led to wages being cut. The Howard proposals will achieve exactly the same outcome. We can therefore assume that, if his party wins government, the Leader of the Opposition will introduce state legislation that also will allow exploitative workplace agreements. We can read out a list, at the beginning of which is the Howard government’s removal of unfair dismissal appeal rights. Will the Leader of the Opposition give an undertaking to mirror the Howard government’s proposal to abolish unfair dismissal appeal rights? Mr M.J. Birney : We will make the system eminently fairer than it is now. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition is the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. He is quite willing to give undertakings. As long as Johnny Howard is prepared to come here and hold his hand and help him with his election campaign, he will jump as high as the Prime Minister asks him to. He is not willing to stick up for Western Australians. He is interested only in gaining the support of the Prime Minister. He will support the Prime Minister in inflicting on the people of Western Australia an industrial relations system that has prompted the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney to voice his concern about its effect on families. A range of church groups have said that people who are interested in families and fair working conditions, must stand up to Howard and his attempt to lower working standards in this nation. However, for the Leader of the Opposition it is another opportunity to be the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. Several members interjected. An opposition member: Woof, woof! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Before I give the call to the Leader of the National Party, as amusing as I think the member thinks that behaviour is, we are not at a football scrum, and the roar from the left is a bit overwhelming. I accept witty, intelligent interjections. Under the standing orders the member might have half a chance of it being accepted. However, if the member tries that behaviour again, this will be a very short question time.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition simply does not want to be honest in this place. Clearly, he has indicated to his own party that he will use state legislation to simply replicate most, if not all, the federal government’s policies in this area. However, when it comes to the detail, under the last state Liberal government, minimum wage setting was removed from the purview of the state Industrial Relations Commission. As a result, the minimum wage in this state was $50 a week below the minimum wage in the rest of Australia. Again that will be the result of the Howard government’s proposal. Is the Leader of the Opposition committed to minimum wages being set outside the Industrial Relations Commission? Mr M.J. Birney : You, my friend, should not even be talking in this house this week after the absolutely disgraceful performance you put on before the recess. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition shows again that he is a man without substance. He will say outside this place what he thinks is appropriate to a particular audience, but he will not back up his comments. He simply wants to run for cover by saying things that are totally irrelevant. What about workplace agreements? Under the Court government, workplace agreements were exploitative and led to wages being cut. The Howard proposals will achieve exactly the same outcome. We can therefore assume that, if his party wins government, the Leader of the Opposition will introduce state legislation that also will allow exploitative workplace agreements. We can read out a list, at the beginning of which is the Howard government’s removal of unfair dismissal appeal rights. Will the Leader of the Opposition give an undertaking to mirror the Howard government’s proposal to abolish unfair dismissal appeal rights? Mr M.J. Birney : We will make the system eminently fairer than it is now. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition is the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. He is quite willing to give undertakings. As long as Johnny Howard is prepared to come here and hold his hand and help him with his election campaign, he will jump as high as the Prime Minister asks him to. He is not willing to stick up for Western Australians. He is interested only in gaining the support of the Prime Minister. He will support the Prime Minister in inflicting on the people of Western Australia an industrial relations system that has prompted the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney to voice his concern about its effect on families. A range of church groups have said that people who are interested in families and fair working conditions, must stand up to Howard and his attempt to lower working standards in this nation. However, for the Leader of the Opposition it is another opportunity to be the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. Several members interjected. An opposition member: Woof, woof! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Before I give the call to the Leader of the National Party, as amusing as I think the member thinks that behaviour is, we are not at a football scrum, and the roar from the left is a bit overwhelming. I accept witty, intelligent interjections. Under the standing orders the member might have half a chance of it being accepted. However, if the member tries that behaviour again, this will be a very short question time.
Clearly, he has indicated to his own party that he will use state legislation to simply replicate most, if not all, the federal government’s policies in this area. However, when it comes to the detail, under the last state Liberal government, minimum wage setting was removed from the purview of the state Industrial Relations Commission. As a result, the minimum wage in this state was $50 a week below the minimum wage in the rest of Australia. Again that will be the result of the Howard government’s proposal. Is the Leader of the Opposition committed to minimum wages being set outside the Industrial Relations Commission? Mr M.J. Birney : You, my friend, should not even be talking in this house this week after the absolutely disgraceful performance you put on before the recess. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition shows again that he is a man without substance. He will say outside this place what he thinks is appropriate to a particular audience, but he will not back up his comments. He simply wants to run for cover by saying things that are totally irrelevant. What about workplace agreements? Under the Court government, workplace agreements were exploitative and led to wages being cut. The Howard proposals will achieve exactly the same outcome. We can therefore assume that, if his party wins government, the Leader of the Opposition will introduce state legislation that also will allow exploitative workplace agreements. We can read out a list, at the beginning of which is the Howard government’s removal of unfair dismissal appeal rights. Will the Leader of the Opposition give an undertaking to mirror the Howard government’s proposal to abolish unfair dismissal appeal rights? Mr M.J. Birney : We will make the system eminently fairer than it is now. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition is the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. He is quite willing to give undertakings. As long as Johnny Howard is prepared to come here and hold his hand and help him with his election campaign, he will jump as high as the Prime Minister asks him to. He is not willing to stick up for Western Australians. He is interested only in gaining the support of the Prime Minister. He will support the Prime Minister in inflicting on the people of Western Australia an industrial relations system that has prompted the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney to voice his concern about its effect on families. A range of church groups have said that people who are interested in families and fair working conditions, must stand up to Howard and his attempt to lower working standards in this nation. However, for the Leader of the Opposition it is another opportunity to be the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. Several members interjected. An opposition member: Woof, woof! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Before I give the call to the Leader of the National Party, as amusing as I think the member thinks that behaviour is, we are not at a football scrum, and the roar from the left is a bit overwhelming. I accept witty, intelligent interjections. Under the standing orders the member might have half a chance of it being accepted. However, if the member tries that behaviour again, this will be a very short question time.
Mr M.J. Birney : You, my friend, should not even be talking in this house this week after the absolutely disgraceful performance you put on before the recess. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition shows again that he is a man without substance. He will say outside this place what he thinks is appropriate to a particular audience, but he will not back up his comments. He simply wants to run for cover by saying things that are totally irrelevant. What about workplace agreements? Under the Court government, workplace agreements were exploitative and led to wages being cut. The Howard proposals will achieve exactly the same outcome. We can therefore assume that, if his party wins government, the Leader of the Opposition will introduce state legislation that also will allow exploitative workplace agreements. We can read out a list, at the beginning of which is the Howard government’s removal of unfair dismissal appeal rights. Will the Leader of the Opposition give an undertaking to mirror the Howard government’s proposal to abolish unfair dismissal appeal rights? Mr M.J. Birney : We will make the system eminently fairer than it is now. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition is the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. He is quite willing to give undertakings. As long as Johnny Howard is prepared to come here and hold his hand and help him with his election campaign, he will jump as high as the Prime Minister asks him to. He is not willing to stick up for Western Australians. He is interested only in gaining the support of the Prime Minister. He will support the Prime Minister in inflicting on the people of Western Australia an industrial relations system that has prompted the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney to voice his concern about its effect on families. A range of church groups have said that people who are interested in families and fair working conditions, must stand up to Howard and his attempt to lower working standards in this nation. However, for the Leader of the Opposition it is another opportunity to be the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. Several members interjected. An opposition member: Woof, woof! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Before I give the call to the Leader of the National Party, as amusing as I think the member thinks that behaviour is, we are not at a football scrum, and the roar from the left is a bit overwhelming. I accept witty, intelligent interjections. Under the standing orders the member might have half a chance of it being accepted. However, if the member tries that behaviour again, this will be a very short question time.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition shows again that he is a man without substance. He will say outside this place what he thinks is appropriate to a particular audience, but he will not back up his comments. He simply wants to run for cover by saying things that are totally irrelevant. What about workplace agreements? Under the Court government, workplace agreements were exploitative and led to wages being cut. The Howard proposals will achieve exactly the same outcome. We can therefore assume that, if his party wins government, the Leader of the Opposition will introduce state legislation that also will allow exploitative workplace agreements. We can read out a list, at the beginning of which is the Howard government’s removal of unfair dismissal appeal rights. Will the Leader of the Opposition give an undertaking to mirror the Howard government’s proposal to abolish unfair dismissal appeal rights? Mr M.J. Birney : We will make the system eminently fairer than it is now. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition is the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. He is quite willing to give undertakings. As long as Johnny Howard is prepared to come here and hold his hand and help him with his election campaign, he will jump as high as the Prime Minister asks him to. He is not willing to stick up for Western Australians. He is interested only in gaining the support of the Prime Minister. He will support the Prime Minister in inflicting on the people of Western Australia an industrial relations system that has prompted the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney to voice his concern about its effect on families. A range of church groups have said that people who are interested in families and fair working conditions, must stand up to Howard and his attempt to lower working standards in this nation. However, for the Leader of the Opposition it is another opportunity to be the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. Several members interjected. An opposition member: Woof, woof! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Before I give the call to the Leader of the National Party, as amusing as I think the member thinks that behaviour is, we are not at a football scrum, and the roar from the left is a bit overwhelming. I accept witty, intelligent interjections. Under the standing orders the member might have half a chance of it being accepted. However, if the member tries that behaviour again, this will be a very short question time.
What about workplace agreements? Under the Court government, workplace agreements were exploitative and led to wages being cut. The Howard proposals will achieve exactly the same outcome. We can therefore assume that, if his party wins government, the Leader of the Opposition will introduce state legislation that also will allow exploitative workplace agreements. We can read out a list, at the beginning of which is the Howard government’s removal of unfair dismissal appeal rights. Will the Leader of the Opposition give an undertaking to mirror the Howard government’s proposal to abolish unfair dismissal appeal rights? Mr M.J. Birney : We will make the system eminently fairer than it is now. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition is the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. He is quite willing to give undertakings. As long as Johnny Howard is prepared to come here and hold his hand and help him with his election campaign, he will jump as high as the Prime Minister asks him to. He is not willing to stick up for Western Australians. He is interested only in gaining the support of the Prime Minister. He will support the Prime Minister in inflicting on the people of Western Australia an industrial relations system that has prompted the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney to voice his concern about its effect on families. A range of church groups have said that people who are interested in families and fair working conditions, must stand up to Howard and his attempt to lower working standards in this nation. However, for the Leader of the Opposition it is another opportunity to be the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. Several members interjected. An opposition member: Woof, woof! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Before I give the call to the Leader of the National Party, as amusing as I think the member thinks that behaviour is, we are not at a football scrum, and the roar from the left is a bit overwhelming. I accept witty, intelligent interjections. Under the standing orders the member might have half a chance of it being accepted. However, if the member tries that behaviour again, this will be a very short question time.
Mr M.J. Birney : We will make the system eminently fairer than it is now. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition is the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. He is quite willing to give undertakings. As long as Johnny Howard is prepared to come here and hold his hand and help him with his election campaign, he will jump as high as the Prime Minister asks him to. He is not willing to stick up for Western Australians. He is interested only in gaining the support of the Prime Minister. He will support the Prime Minister in inflicting on the people of Western Australia an industrial relations system that has prompted the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney to voice his concern about its effect on families. A range of church groups have said that people who are interested in families and fair working conditions, must stand up to Howard and his attempt to lower working standards in this nation. However, for the Leader of the Opposition it is another opportunity to be the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. Several members interjected. An opposition member: Woof, woof! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Before I give the call to the Leader of the National Party, as amusing as I think the member thinks that behaviour is, we are not at a football scrum, and the roar from the left is a bit overwhelming. I accept witty, intelligent interjections. Under the standing orders the member might have half a chance of it being accepted. However, if the member tries that behaviour again, this will be a very short question time.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The Leader of the Opposition is the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. He is quite willing to give undertakings. As long as Johnny Howard is prepared to come here and hold his hand and help him with his election campaign, he will jump as high as the Prime Minister asks him to. He is not willing to stick up for Western Australians. He is interested only in gaining the support of the Prime Minister. He will support the Prime Minister in inflicting on the people of Western Australia an industrial relations system that has prompted the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney to voice his concern about its effect on families. A range of church groups have said that people who are interested in families and fair working conditions, must stand up to Howard and his attempt to lower working standards in this nation. However, for the Leader of the Opposition it is another opportunity to be the Prime Minister’s lap-dog. Several members interjected. An opposition member: Woof, woof! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Before I give the call to the Leader of the National Party, as amusing as I think the member thinks that behaviour is, we are not at a football scrum, and the roar from the left is a bit overwhelming. I accept witty, intelligent interjections. Under the standing orders the member might have half a chance of it being accepted. However, if the member tries that behaviour again, this will be a very short question time.
Several members interjected. An opposition member: Woof, woof! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Before I give the call to the Leader of the National Party, as amusing as I think the member thinks that behaviour is, we are not at a football scrum, and the roar from the left is a bit overwhelming. I accept witty, intelligent interjections. Under the standing orders the member might have half a chance of it being accepted. However, if the member tries that behaviour again, this will be a very short question time.
An opposition member: Woof, woof! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Before I give the call to the Leader of the National Party, as amusing as I think the member thinks that behaviour is, we are not at a football scrum, and the roar from the left is a bit overwhelming. I accept witty, intelligent interjections. Under the standing orders the member might have half a chance of it being accepted. However, if the member tries that behaviour again, this will be a very short question time.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Before I give the call to the Leader of the National Party, as amusing as I think the member thinks that behaviour is, we are not at a football scrum, and the roar from the left is a bit overwhelming. I accept witty, intelligent interjections. Under the standing orders the member might have half a chance of it being accepted. However, if the member tries that behaviour again, this will be a very short question time.
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