❓ Question regarding the potential consequences of the Liberal Party's proposed policy on flexible working hours and penalty rates, with the Minister responding critically, highlighting potential wage reductions and negative impacts on families.
AnsweredQoN 1091Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I direct the minister’s attention to a report published in the South Western Times on 11 September 2003 that the Liberal Party would allow employees to nominate which five days and which times of the day or night they wished to work. The member for Vasse is reported as saying - If they choose to work weekends or nights, then current penalty rates will not apply. What would be the consequences for employees if such a policy were implemented? Mr J.C. KOBELKE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. The article is headed “Libs to look at working hours” and begins - The State Opposition says it will give workers the chance to choose when they want to work and at what times as part of a plan to reduce labour costs - Is this Liberal Party policy? Mrs C.L. Edwardes: Choice! Flexibility! Mr J.C. KOBELKE: The member for Vasse was not running his own agenda; this is the Liberal Party’s policy. It is very interesting that its idea of choice is to say that someone who wants to work could be designated to work from 6.00 pm to midnight at a flat rate and that would be the end of it. That is what it would mean. The consequences would be a reduction in the take-home pay of ordinary working men and women. It would also mean that people with family responsibilities could be directed to work at times at which they want to be at home looking after their families or spending time with them at the meal table. The Liberal Party is not interested in looking after families. I noticed that the Leader of the Opposition will receive an award for family values. He is espousing a policy that is not at all family friendly. The Liberal Party wants to allow a downward ratcheting of wages, as it did when in government. People would be required to work unsociable hours with no penalty payments. The work would be considered as having been done during normal hours. That is what the Liberal Party is about. The Liberal Party has not changed its spots. As it did when in government, the Liberal Party simply wishes to drag standards down. It is not interested in this State going forward. The current Government has taken an economy that in the year the Liberal Party last set the budget was shrinking by 1.2 per cent and achieved an annual growth of four per cent or better. In one month earlier this year we achieved the lowest unemployment figure in 14 years, and we have provided a decent minimum wage that is $80 a week more than when we came into government. I have always been proudly Australian and very proudly Western Australian, even to the point of going too far. I simply cannot fathom the mentality of a major political party - the Liberal Party - that would want at every turn to lower standards and drag this State down. The Opposition wants to condemn and criticise everything that is positive, such as the HIsmelt Corporation Pty Ltd project, the development on the Burrup Peninsula, the increase in the minimum wage and the improvements in industrial relations. That is simply unbelievable. Western Australia is going ahead. It is leading the nation in a range of economic indicators. This Government is improving conditions for working men and women and trying to do something to look after families. Yet, it is attacked by this Liberal Opposition. I find it impossible to understand.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for the question. The article is headed “Libs to look at working hours” and begins - The State Opposition says it will give workers the chance to choose when they want to work and at what times as part of a plan to reduce labour costs - Is this Liberal Party policy? Mrs C.L. Edwardes: Choice! Flexibility! Mr J.C. KOBELKE: The member for Vasse was not running his own agenda; this is the Liberal Party’s policy. It is very interesting that its idea of choice is to say that someone who wants to work could be designated to work from 6.00 pm to midnight at a flat rate and that would be the end of it. That is what it would mean. The consequences would be a reduction in the take-home pay of ordinary working men and women. It would also mean that people with family responsibilities could be directed to work at times at which they want to be at home looking after their families or spending time with them at the meal table. The Liberal Party is not interested in looking after families. I noticed that the Leader of the Opposition will receive an award for family values. He is espousing a policy that is not at all family friendly. The Liberal Party wants to allow a downward ratcheting of wages, as it did when in government. People would be required to work unsociable hours with no penalty payments. The work would be considered as having been done during normal hours. That is what the Liberal Party is about. The Liberal Party has not changed its spots. As it did when in government, the Liberal Party simply wishes to drag standards down. It is not interested in this State going forward. The current Government has taken an economy that in the year the Liberal Party last set the budget was shrinking by 1.2 per cent and achieved an annual growth of four per cent or better. In one month earlier this year we achieved the lowest unemployment figure in 14 years, and we have provided a decent minimum wage that is $80 a week more than when we came into government. I have always been proudly Australian and very proudly Western Australian, even to the point of going too far. I simply cannot fathom the mentality of a major political party - the Liberal Party - that would want at every turn to lower standards and drag this State down. The Opposition wants to condemn and criticise everything that is positive, such as the HIsmelt Corporation Pty Ltd project, the development on the Burrup Peninsula, the increase in the minimum wage and the improvements in industrial relations. That is simply unbelievable. Western Australia is going ahead. It is leading the nation in a range of economic indicators. This Government is improving conditions for working men and women and trying to do something to look after families. Yet, it is attacked by this Liberal Opposition. I find it impossible to understand.
I thank the member for the question. The article is headed “Libs to look at working hours” and begins - The State Opposition says it will give workers the chance to choose when they want to work and at what times as part of a plan to reduce labour costs - Is this Liberal Party policy? Mrs C.L. Edwardes: Choice! Flexibility! Mr J.C. KOBELKE: The member for Vasse was not running his own agenda; this is the Liberal Party’s policy. It is very interesting that its idea of choice is to say that someone who wants to work could be designated to work from 6.00 pm to midnight at a flat rate and that would be the end of it. That is what it would mean. The consequences would be a reduction in the take-home pay of ordinary working men and women. It would also mean that people with family responsibilities could be directed to work at times at which they want to be at home looking after their families or spending time with them at the meal table. The Liberal Party is not interested in looking after families. I noticed that the Leader of the Opposition will receive an award for family values. He is espousing a policy that is not at all family friendly. The Liberal Party wants to allow a downward ratcheting of wages, as it did when in government. People would be required to work unsociable hours with no penalty payments. The work would be considered as having been done during normal hours. That is what the Liberal Party is about. The Liberal Party has not changed its spots. As it did when in government, the Liberal Party simply wishes to drag standards down. It is not interested in this State going forward. The current Government has taken an economy that in the year the Liberal Party last set the budget was shrinking by 1.2 per cent and achieved an annual growth of four per cent or better. In one month earlier this year we achieved the lowest unemployment figure in 14 years, and we have provided a decent minimum wage that is $80 a week more than when we came into government. I have always been proudly Australian and very proudly Western Australian, even to the point of going too far. I simply cannot fathom the mentality of a major political party - the Liberal Party - that would want at every turn to lower standards and drag this State down. The Opposition wants to condemn and criticise everything that is positive, such as the HIsmelt Corporation Pty Ltd project, the development on the Burrup Peninsula, the increase in the minimum wage and the improvements in industrial relations. That is simply unbelievable. Western Australia is going ahead. It is leading the nation in a range of economic indicators. This Government is improving conditions for working men and women and trying to do something to look after families. Yet, it is attacked by this Liberal Opposition. I find it impossible to understand.
Mrs C.L. Edwardes: Choice! Flexibility! Mr J.C. KOBELKE: The member for Vasse was not running his own agenda; this is the Liberal Party’s policy. It is very interesting that its idea of choice is to say that someone who wants to work could be designated to work from 6.00 pm to midnight at a flat rate and that would be the end of it. That is what it would mean. The consequences would be a reduction in the take-home pay of ordinary working men and women. It would also mean that people with family responsibilities could be directed to work at times at which they want to be at home looking after their families or spending time with them at the meal table. The Liberal Party is not interested in looking after families. I noticed that the Leader of the Opposition will receive an award for family values. He is espousing a policy that is not at all family friendly. The Liberal Party wants to allow a downward ratcheting of wages, as it did when in government. People would be required to work unsociable hours with no penalty payments. The work would be considered as having been done during normal hours. That is what the Liberal Party is about. The Liberal Party has not changed its spots. As it did when in government, the Liberal Party simply wishes to drag standards down. It is not interested in this State going forward. The current Government has taken an economy that in the year the Liberal Party last set the budget was shrinking by 1.2 per cent and achieved an annual growth of four per cent or better. In one month earlier this year we achieved the lowest unemployment figure in 14 years, and we have provided a decent minimum wage that is $80 a week more than when we came into government. I have always been proudly Australian and very proudly Western Australian, even to the point of going too far. I simply cannot fathom the mentality of a major political party - the Liberal Party - that would want at every turn to lower standards and drag this State down. The Opposition wants to condemn and criticise everything that is positive, such as the HIsmelt Corporation Pty Ltd project, the development on the Burrup Peninsula, the increase in the minimum wage and the improvements in industrial relations. That is simply unbelievable. Western Australia is going ahead. It is leading the nation in a range of economic indicators. This Government is improving conditions for working men and women and trying to do something to look after families. Yet, it is attacked by this Liberal Opposition. I find it impossible to understand.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE: The member for Vasse was not running his own agenda; this is the Liberal Party’s policy. It is very interesting that its idea of choice is to say that someone who wants to work could be designated to work from 6.00 pm to midnight at a flat rate and that would be the end of it. That is what it would mean. The consequences would be a reduction in the take-home pay of ordinary working men and women. It would also mean that people with family responsibilities could be directed to work at times at which they want to be at home looking after their families or spending time with them at the meal table. The Liberal Party is not interested in looking after families. I noticed that the Leader of the Opposition will receive an award for family values. He is espousing a policy that is not at all family friendly. The Liberal Party wants to allow a downward ratcheting of wages, as it did when in government. People would be required to work unsociable hours with no penalty payments. The work would be considered as having been done during normal hours. That is what the Liberal Party is about. The Liberal Party has not changed its spots. As it did when in government, the Liberal Party simply wishes to drag standards down. It is not interested in this State going forward. The current Government has taken an economy that in the year the Liberal Party last set the budget was shrinking by 1.2 per cent and achieved an annual growth of four per cent or better. In one month earlier this year we achieved the lowest unemployment figure in 14 years, and we have provided a decent minimum wage that is $80 a week more than when we came into government. I have always been proudly Australian and very proudly Western Australian, even to the point of going too far. I simply cannot fathom the mentality of a major political party - the Liberal Party - that would want at every turn to lower standards and drag this State down. The Opposition wants to condemn and criticise everything that is positive, such as the HIsmelt Corporation Pty Ltd project, the development on the Burrup Peninsula, the increase in the minimum wage and the improvements in industrial relations. That is simply unbelievable. Western Australia is going ahead. It is leading the nation in a range of economic indicators. This Government is improving conditions for working men and women and trying to do something to look after families. Yet, it is attacked by this Liberal Opposition. I find it impossible to understand.
As it did when in government, the Liberal Party simply wishes to drag standards down. It is not interested in this State going forward. The current Government has taken an economy that in the year the Liberal Party last set the budget was shrinking by 1.2 per cent and achieved an annual growth of four per cent or better. In one month earlier this year we achieved the lowest unemployment figure in 14 years, and we have provided a decent minimum wage that is $80 a week more than when we came into government. I have always been proudly Australian and very proudly Western Australian, even to the point of going too far. I simply cannot fathom the mentality of a major political party - the Liberal Party - that would want at every turn to lower standards and drag this State down. The Opposition wants to condemn and criticise everything that is positive, such as the HIsmelt Corporation Pty Ltd project, the development on the Burrup Peninsula, the increase in the minimum wage and the improvements in industrial relations. That is simply unbelievable. Western Australia is going ahead. It is leading the nation in a range of economic indicators. This Government is improving conditions for working men and women and trying to do something to look after families. Yet, it is attacked by this Liberal Opposition. I find it impossible to understand.
I have always been proudly Australian and very proudly Western Australian, even to the point of going too far. I simply cannot fathom the mentality of a major political party - the Liberal Party - that would want at every turn to lower standards and drag this State down. The Opposition wants to condemn and criticise everything that is positive, such as the HIsmelt Corporation Pty Ltd project, the development on the Burrup Peninsula, the increase in the minimum wage and the improvements in industrial relations. That is simply unbelievable. Western Australia is going ahead. It is leading the nation in a range of economic indicators. This Government is improving conditions for working men and women and trying to do something to look after families. Yet, it is attacked by this Liberal Opposition. I find it impossible to understand.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for the question. The article is headed “Libs to look at working hours” and begins - The State Opposition says it will give workers the chance to choose when they want to work and at what times as part of a plan to reduce labour costs - Is this Liberal Party policy? Mrs C.L. Edwardes: Choice! Flexibility! Mr J.C. KOBELKE: The member for Vasse was not running his own agenda; this is the Liberal Party’s policy. It is very interesting that its idea of choice is to say that someone who wants to work could be designated to work from 6.00 pm to midnight at a flat rate and that would be the end of it. That is what it would mean. The consequences would be a reduction in the take-home pay of ordinary working men and women. It would also mean that people with family responsibilities could be directed to work at times at which they want to be at home looking after their families or spending time with them at the meal table. The Liberal Party is not interested in looking after families. I noticed that the Leader of the Opposition will receive an award for family values. He is espousing a policy that is not at all family friendly. The Liberal Party wants to allow a downward ratcheting of wages, as it did when in government. People would be required to work unsociable hours with no penalty payments. The work would be considered as having been done during normal hours. That is what the Liberal Party is about. The Liberal Party has not changed its spots. As it did when in government, the Liberal Party simply wishes to drag standards down. It is not interested in this State going forward. The current Government has taken an economy that in the year the Liberal Party last set the budget was shrinking by 1.2 per cent and achieved an annual growth of four per cent or better. In one month earlier this year we achieved the lowest unemployment figure in 14 years, and we have provided a decent minimum wage that is $80 a week more than when we came into government. I have always been proudly Australian and very proudly Western Australian, even to the point of going too far. I simply cannot fathom the mentality of a major political party - the Liberal Party - that would want at every turn to lower standards and drag this State down. The Opposition wants to condemn and criticise everything that is positive, such as the HIsmelt Corporation Pty Ltd project, the development on the Burrup Peninsula, the increase in the minimum wage and the improvements in industrial relations. That is simply unbelievable. Western Australia is going ahead. It is leading the nation in a range of economic indicators. This Government is improving conditions for working men and women and trying to do something to look after families. Yet, it is attacked by this Liberal Opposition. I find it impossible to understand.
I thank the member for the question. The article is headed “Libs to look at working hours” and begins - The State Opposition says it will give workers the chance to choose when they want to work and at what times as part of a plan to reduce labour costs - Is this Liberal Party policy? Mrs C.L. Edwardes: Choice! Flexibility! Mr J.C. KOBELKE: The member for Vasse was not running his own agenda; this is the Liberal Party’s policy. It is very interesting that its idea of choice is to say that someone who wants to work could be designated to work from 6.00 pm to midnight at a flat rate and that would be the end of it. That is what it would mean. The consequences would be a reduction in the take-home pay of ordinary working men and women. It would also mean that people with family responsibilities could be directed to work at times at which they want to be at home looking after their families or spending time with them at the meal table. The Liberal Party is not interested in looking after families. I noticed that the Leader of the Opposition will receive an award for family values. He is espousing a policy that is not at all family friendly. The Liberal Party wants to allow a downward ratcheting of wages, as it did when in government. People would be required to work unsociable hours with no penalty payments. The work would be considered as having been done during normal hours. That is what the Liberal Party is about. The Liberal Party has not changed its spots. As it did when in government, the Liberal Party simply wishes to drag standards down. It is not interested in this State going forward. The current Government has taken an economy that in the year the Liberal Party last set the budget was shrinking by 1.2 per cent and achieved an annual growth of four per cent or better. In one month earlier this year we achieved the lowest unemployment figure in 14 years, and we have provided a decent minimum wage that is $80 a week more than when we came into government. I have always been proudly Australian and very proudly Western Australian, even to the point of going too far. I simply cannot fathom the mentality of a major political party - the Liberal Party - that would want at every turn to lower standards and drag this State down. The Opposition wants to condemn and criticise everything that is positive, such as the HIsmelt Corporation Pty Ltd project, the development on the Burrup Peninsula, the increase in the minimum wage and the improvements in industrial relations. That is simply unbelievable. Western Australia is going ahead. It is leading the nation in a range of economic indicators. This Government is improving conditions for working men and women and trying to do something to look after families. Yet, it is attacked by this Liberal Opposition. I find it impossible to understand.
Mrs C.L. Edwardes: Choice! Flexibility! Mr J.C. KOBELKE: The member for Vasse was not running his own agenda; this is the Liberal Party’s policy. It is very interesting that its idea of choice is to say that someone who wants to work could be designated to work from 6.00 pm to midnight at a flat rate and that would be the end of it. That is what it would mean. The consequences would be a reduction in the take-home pay of ordinary working men and women. It would also mean that people with family responsibilities could be directed to work at times at which they want to be at home looking after their families or spending time with them at the meal table. The Liberal Party is not interested in looking after families. I noticed that the Leader of the Opposition will receive an award for family values. He is espousing a policy that is not at all family friendly. The Liberal Party wants to allow a downward ratcheting of wages, as it did when in government. People would be required to work unsociable hours with no penalty payments. The work would be considered as having been done during normal hours. That is what the Liberal Party is about. The Liberal Party has not changed its spots. As it did when in government, the Liberal Party simply wishes to drag standards down. It is not interested in this State going forward. The current Government has taken an economy that in the year the Liberal Party last set the budget was shrinking by 1.2 per cent and achieved an annual growth of four per cent or better. In one month earlier this year we achieved the lowest unemployment figure in 14 years, and we have provided a decent minimum wage that is $80 a week more than when we came into government. I have always been proudly Australian and very proudly Western Australian, even to the point of going too far. I simply cannot fathom the mentality of a major political party - the Liberal Party - that would want at every turn to lower standards and drag this State down. The Opposition wants to condemn and criticise everything that is positive, such as the HIsmelt Corporation Pty Ltd project, the development on the Burrup Peninsula, the increase in the minimum wage and the improvements in industrial relations. That is simply unbelievable. Western Australia is going ahead. It is leading the nation in a range of economic indicators. This Government is improving conditions for working men and women and trying to do something to look after families. Yet, it is attacked by this Liberal Opposition. I find it impossible to understand.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE: The member for Vasse was not running his own agenda; this is the Liberal Party’s policy. It is very interesting that its idea of choice is to say that someone who wants to work could be designated to work from 6.00 pm to midnight at a flat rate and that would be the end of it. That is what it would mean. The consequences would be a reduction in the take-home pay of ordinary working men and women. It would also mean that people with family responsibilities could be directed to work at times at which they want to be at home looking after their families or spending time with them at the meal table. The Liberal Party is not interested in looking after families. I noticed that the Leader of the Opposition will receive an award for family values. He is espousing a policy that is not at all family friendly. The Liberal Party wants to allow a downward ratcheting of wages, as it did when in government. People would be required to work unsociable hours with no penalty payments. The work would be considered as having been done during normal hours. That is what the Liberal Party is about. The Liberal Party has not changed its spots. As it did when in government, the Liberal Party simply wishes to drag standards down. It is not interested in this State going forward. The current Government has taken an economy that in the year the Liberal Party last set the budget was shrinking by 1.2 per cent and achieved an annual growth of four per cent or better. In one month earlier this year we achieved the lowest unemployment figure in 14 years, and we have provided a decent minimum wage that is $80 a week more than when we came into government. I have always been proudly Australian and very proudly Western Australian, even to the point of going too far. I simply cannot fathom the mentality of a major political party - the Liberal Party - that would want at every turn to lower standards and drag this State down. The Opposition wants to condemn and criticise everything that is positive, such as the HIsmelt Corporation Pty Ltd project, the development on the Burrup Peninsula, the increase in the minimum wage and the improvements in industrial relations. That is simply unbelievable. Western Australia is going ahead. It is leading the nation in a range of economic indicators. This Government is improving conditions for working men and women and trying to do something to look after families. Yet, it is attacked by this Liberal Opposition. I find it impossible to understand.
As it did when in government, the Liberal Party simply wishes to drag standards down. It is not interested in this State going forward. The current Government has taken an economy that in the year the Liberal Party last set the budget was shrinking by 1.2 per cent and achieved an annual growth of four per cent or better. In one month earlier this year we achieved the lowest unemployment figure in 14 years, and we have provided a decent minimum wage that is $80 a week more than when we came into government. I have always been proudly Australian and very proudly Western Australian, even to the point of going too far. I simply cannot fathom the mentality of a major political party - the Liberal Party - that would want at every turn to lower standards and drag this State down. The Opposition wants to condemn and criticise everything that is positive, such as the HIsmelt Corporation Pty Ltd project, the development on the Burrup Peninsula, the increase in the minimum wage and the improvements in industrial relations. That is simply unbelievable. Western Australia is going ahead. It is leading the nation in a range of economic indicators. This Government is improving conditions for working men and women and trying to do something to look after families. Yet, it is attacked by this Liberal Opposition. I find it impossible to understand.
I have always been proudly Australian and very proudly Western Australian, even to the point of going too far. I simply cannot fathom the mentality of a major political party - the Liberal Party - that would want at every turn to lower standards and drag this State down. The Opposition wants to condemn and criticise everything that is positive, such as the HIsmelt Corporation Pty Ltd project, the development on the Burrup Peninsula, the increase in the minimum wage and the improvements in industrial relations. That is simply unbelievable. Western Australia is going ahead. It is leading the nation in a range of economic indicators. This Government is improving conditions for working men and women and trying to do something to look after families. Yet, it is attacked by this Liberal Opposition. I find it impossible to understand.
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