❓ Question regarding the potential impact of the Howard government's industrial relations changes on Christmas Day penalty rates and worker protections, with the Minister confirming the negative impact and broader concerns about eroding worker rights.
AnsweredQoN 764Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Is it true that the extreme Howard government industrial relations changes will reduce Christmas Day, a religious and family holiday, to a normal working day of the week for many Australians? Mr J.C. KOBELKE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. Unfortunately the answer is yes, it will. Under the Howard government’s proposals, the protections contained in our award system can be swept aside by forcing people onto workplace agreements. Those workplace agreements have to meet only five basic minima under a mis-called Australian fair pay and conditions standard. A person can be forced onto a workplace agreement, and Christmas Day will be treated like any other day. There will be no penalty rates. Issues involving rostering and how many hours people work can be pushed aside. John Howard has actually said that under his government’s industrial relations regime Christmas Day will be like any other working day. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Does the Deputy Leader of the Opposition agree with that? Mr T.R. Buswell : How many Western Australians are on Australian workplace agreements now? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Members opposite do not have a problem with that. They are happy that Christmas Day, a very special day in Australia, will be like any other working day. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Christmas Day will be like any other working day. However, that of itself is not the big issue. It simply points out that so many of the protections that we take for granted - whether those protections relate to Christmas Day, Anzac Day, paid maternity leave, sick leave or an annual increase in a person’s wages - will all go. All the things that are an integral part of maintaining standards in the workplace and that are fundamental to the Australian way of life will simply be wiped aside by the Howard government’s industrial relations regime. It might tinker with the edges and give something special for Christmas Day or give a bit here or there. However, the Howard government’s industrial relations program is about undermining the system that has been built up over the past 100 years; a system that provides standards and protections for Australian workers and their families. We know that the Howard government is in a hurry to rush its legislation through Parliament, because the more people know about this package, the more they will reject it. The Howard government will hasten the passage of its legislation in the hope that it can pull this one off without people understanding the full impact of what is a disastrous package for Australian workers and their families. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for the question. Unfortunately the answer is yes, it will. Under the Howard government’s proposals, the protections contained in our award system can be swept aside by forcing people onto workplace agreements. Those workplace agreements have to meet only five basic minima under a mis-called Australian fair pay and conditions standard. A person can be forced onto a workplace agreement, and Christmas Day will be treated like any other day. There will be no penalty rates. Issues involving rostering and how many hours people work can be pushed aside. John Howard has actually said that under his government’s industrial relations regime Christmas Day will be like any other working day. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Does the Deputy Leader of the Opposition agree with that? Mr T.R. Buswell : How many Western Australians are on Australian workplace agreements now? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Members opposite do not have a problem with that. They are happy that Christmas Day, a very special day in Australia, will be like any other working day. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Christmas Day will be like any other working day. However, that of itself is not the big issue. It simply points out that so many of the protections that we take for granted - whether those protections relate to Christmas Day, Anzac Day, paid maternity leave, sick leave or an annual increase in a person’s wages - will all go. All the things that are an integral part of maintaining standards in the workplace and that are fundamental to the Australian way of life will simply be wiped aside by the Howard government’s industrial relations regime. It might tinker with the edges and give something special for Christmas Day or give a bit here or there. However, the Howard government’s industrial relations program is about undermining the system that has been built up over the past 100 years; a system that provides standards and protections for Australian workers and their families. We know that the Howard government is in a hurry to rush its legislation through Parliament, because the more people know about this package, the more they will reject it. The Howard government will hasten the passage of its legislation in the hope that it can pull this one off without people understanding the full impact of what is a disastrous package for Australian workers and their families. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
I thank the member for the question. Unfortunately the answer is yes, it will. Under the Howard government’s proposals, the protections contained in our award system can be swept aside by forcing people onto workplace agreements. Those workplace agreements have to meet only five basic minima under a mis-called Australian fair pay and conditions standard. A person can be forced onto a workplace agreement, and Christmas Day will be treated like any other day. There will be no penalty rates. Issues involving rostering and how many hours people work can be pushed aside. John Howard has actually said that under his government’s industrial relations regime Christmas Day will be like any other working day. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Does the Deputy Leader of the Opposition agree with that? Mr T.R. Buswell : How many Western Australians are on Australian workplace agreements now? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Members opposite do not have a problem with that. They are happy that Christmas Day, a very special day in Australia, will be like any other working day. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Christmas Day will be like any other working day. However, that of itself is not the big issue. It simply points out that so many of the protections that we take for granted - whether those protections relate to Christmas Day, Anzac Day, paid maternity leave, sick leave or an annual increase in a person’s wages - will all go. All the things that are an integral part of maintaining standards in the workplace and that are fundamental to the Australian way of life will simply be wiped aside by the Howard government’s industrial relations regime. It might tinker with the edges and give something special for Christmas Day or give a bit here or there. However, the Howard government’s industrial relations program is about undermining the system that has been built up over the past 100 years; a system that provides standards and protections for Australian workers and their families. We know that the Howard government is in a hurry to rush its legislation through Parliament, because the more people know about this package, the more they will reject it. The Howard government will hasten the passage of its legislation in the hope that it can pull this one off without people understanding the full impact of what is a disastrous package for Australian workers and their families. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Does the Deputy Leader of the Opposition agree with that? Mr T.R. Buswell : How many Western Australians are on Australian workplace agreements now? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Members opposite do not have a problem with that. They are happy that Christmas Day, a very special day in Australia, will be like any other working day. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Christmas Day will be like any other working day. However, that of itself is not the big issue. It simply points out that so many of the protections that we take for granted - whether those protections relate to Christmas Day, Anzac Day, paid maternity leave, sick leave or an annual increase in a person’s wages - will all go. All the things that are an integral part of maintaining standards in the workplace and that are fundamental to the Australian way of life will simply be wiped aside by the Howard government’s industrial relations regime. It might tinker with the edges and give something special for Christmas Day or give a bit here or there. However, the Howard government’s industrial relations program is about undermining the system that has been built up over the past 100 years; a system that provides standards and protections for Australian workers and their families. We know that the Howard government is in a hurry to rush its legislation through Parliament, because the more people know about this package, the more they will reject it. The Howard government will hasten the passage of its legislation in the hope that it can pull this one off without people understanding the full impact of what is a disastrous package for Australian workers and their families. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Does the Deputy Leader of the Opposition agree with that? Mr T.R. Buswell : How many Western Australians are on Australian workplace agreements now? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Members opposite do not have a problem with that. They are happy that Christmas Day, a very special day in Australia, will be like any other working day. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Christmas Day will be like any other working day. However, that of itself is not the big issue. It simply points out that so many of the protections that we take for granted - whether those protections relate to Christmas Day, Anzac Day, paid maternity leave, sick leave or an annual increase in a person’s wages - will all go. All the things that are an integral part of maintaining standards in the workplace and that are fundamental to the Australian way of life will simply be wiped aside by the Howard government’s industrial relations regime. It might tinker with the edges and give something special for Christmas Day or give a bit here or there. However, the Howard government’s industrial relations program is about undermining the system that has been built up over the past 100 years; a system that provides standards and protections for Australian workers and their families. We know that the Howard government is in a hurry to rush its legislation through Parliament, because the more people know about this package, the more they will reject it. The Howard government will hasten the passage of its legislation in the hope that it can pull this one off without people understanding the full impact of what is a disastrous package for Australian workers and their families. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
Mr T.R. Buswell : How many Western Australians are on Australian workplace agreements now? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Members opposite do not have a problem with that. They are happy that Christmas Day, a very special day in Australia, will be like any other working day. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Christmas Day will be like any other working day. However, that of itself is not the big issue. It simply points out that so many of the protections that we take for granted - whether those protections relate to Christmas Day, Anzac Day, paid maternity leave, sick leave or an annual increase in a person’s wages - will all go. All the things that are an integral part of maintaining standards in the workplace and that are fundamental to the Australian way of life will simply be wiped aside by the Howard government’s industrial relations regime. It might tinker with the edges and give something special for Christmas Day or give a bit here or there. However, the Howard government’s industrial relations program is about undermining the system that has been built up over the past 100 years; a system that provides standards and protections for Australian workers and their families. We know that the Howard government is in a hurry to rush its legislation through Parliament, because the more people know about this package, the more they will reject it. The Howard government will hasten the passage of its legislation in the hope that it can pull this one off without people understanding the full impact of what is a disastrous package for Australian workers and their families. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Members opposite do not have a problem with that. They are happy that Christmas Day, a very special day in Australia, will be like any other working day. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Christmas Day will be like any other working day. However, that of itself is not the big issue. It simply points out that so many of the protections that we take for granted - whether those protections relate to Christmas Day, Anzac Day, paid maternity leave, sick leave or an annual increase in a person’s wages - will all go. All the things that are an integral part of maintaining standards in the workplace and that are fundamental to the Australian way of life will simply be wiped aside by the Howard government’s industrial relations regime. It might tinker with the edges and give something special for Christmas Day or give a bit here or there. However, the Howard government’s industrial relations program is about undermining the system that has been built up over the past 100 years; a system that provides standards and protections for Australian workers and their families. We know that the Howard government is in a hurry to rush its legislation through Parliament, because the more people know about this package, the more they will reject it. The Howard government will hasten the passage of its legislation in the hope that it can pull this one off without people understanding the full impact of what is a disastrous package for Australian workers and their families. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Christmas Day will be like any other working day. However, that of itself is not the big issue. It simply points out that so many of the protections that we take for granted - whether those protections relate to Christmas Day, Anzac Day, paid maternity leave, sick leave or an annual increase in a person’s wages - will all go. All the things that are an integral part of maintaining standards in the workplace and that are fundamental to the Australian way of life will simply be wiped aside by the Howard government’s industrial relations regime. It might tinker with the edges and give something special for Christmas Day or give a bit here or there. However, the Howard government’s industrial relations program is about undermining the system that has been built up over the past 100 years; a system that provides standards and protections for Australian workers and their families. We know that the Howard government is in a hurry to rush its legislation through Parliament, because the more people know about this package, the more they will reject it. The Howard government will hasten the passage of its legislation in the hope that it can pull this one off without people understanding the full impact of what is a disastrous package for Australian workers and their families. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Christmas Day will be like any other working day. However, that of itself is not the big issue. It simply points out that so many of the protections that we take for granted - whether those protections relate to Christmas Day, Anzac Day, paid maternity leave, sick leave or an annual increase in a person’s wages - will all go. All the things that are an integral part of maintaining standards in the workplace and that are fundamental to the Australian way of life will simply be wiped aside by the Howard government’s industrial relations regime. It might tinker with the edges and give something special for Christmas Day or give a bit here or there. However, the Howard government’s industrial relations program is about undermining the system that has been built up over the past 100 years; a system that provides standards and protections for Australian workers and their families. We know that the Howard government is in a hurry to rush its legislation through Parliament, because the more people know about this package, the more they will reject it. The Howard government will hasten the passage of its legislation in the hope that it can pull this one off without people understanding the full impact of what is a disastrous package for Australian workers and their families. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Christmas Day will be like any other working day. However, that of itself is not the big issue. It simply points out that so many of the protections that we take for granted - whether those protections relate to Christmas Day, Anzac Day, paid maternity leave, sick leave or an annual increase in a person’s wages - will all go. All the things that are an integral part of maintaining standards in the workplace and that are fundamental to the Australian way of life will simply be wiped aside by the Howard government’s industrial relations regime. It might tinker with the edges and give something special for Christmas Day or give a bit here or there. However, the Howard government’s industrial relations program is about undermining the system that has been built up over the past 100 years; a system that provides standards and protections for Australian workers and their families. We know that the Howard government is in a hurry to rush its legislation through Parliament, because the more people know about this package, the more they will reject it. The Howard government will hasten the passage of its legislation in the hope that it can pull this one off without people understanding the full impact of what is a disastrous package for Australian workers and their families. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for the question. Unfortunately the answer is yes, it will. Under the Howard government’s proposals, the protections contained in our award system can be swept aside by forcing people onto workplace agreements. Those workplace agreements have to meet only five basic minima under a mis-called Australian fair pay and conditions standard. A person can be forced onto a workplace agreement, and Christmas Day will be treated like any other day. There will be no penalty rates. Issues involving rostering and how many hours people work can be pushed aside. John Howard has actually said that under his government’s industrial relations regime Christmas Day will be like any other working day. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Does the Deputy Leader of the Opposition agree with that? Mr T.R. Buswell : How many Western Australians are on Australian workplace agreements now? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Members opposite do not have a problem with that. They are happy that Christmas Day, a very special day in Australia, will be like any other working day. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Christmas Day will be like any other working day. However, that of itself is not the big issue. It simply points out that so many of the protections that we take for granted - whether those protections relate to Christmas Day, Anzac Day, paid maternity leave, sick leave or an annual increase in a person’s wages - will all go. All the things that are an integral part of maintaining standards in the workplace and that are fundamental to the Australian way of life will simply be wiped aside by the Howard government’s industrial relations regime. It might tinker with the edges and give something special for Christmas Day or give a bit here or there. However, the Howard government’s industrial relations program is about undermining the system that has been built up over the past 100 years; a system that provides standards and protections for Australian workers and their families. We know that the Howard government is in a hurry to rush its legislation through Parliament, because the more people know about this package, the more they will reject it. The Howard government will hasten the passage of its legislation in the hope that it can pull this one off without people understanding the full impact of what is a disastrous package for Australian workers and their families. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
I thank the member for the question. Unfortunately the answer is yes, it will. Under the Howard government’s proposals, the protections contained in our award system can be swept aside by forcing people onto workplace agreements. Those workplace agreements have to meet only five basic minima under a mis-called Australian fair pay and conditions standard. A person can be forced onto a workplace agreement, and Christmas Day will be treated like any other day. There will be no penalty rates. Issues involving rostering and how many hours people work can be pushed aside. John Howard has actually said that under his government’s industrial relations regime Christmas Day will be like any other working day. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Does the Deputy Leader of the Opposition agree with that? Mr T.R. Buswell : How many Western Australians are on Australian workplace agreements now? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Members opposite do not have a problem with that. They are happy that Christmas Day, a very special day in Australia, will be like any other working day. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Christmas Day will be like any other working day. However, that of itself is not the big issue. It simply points out that so many of the protections that we take for granted - whether those protections relate to Christmas Day, Anzac Day, paid maternity leave, sick leave or an annual increase in a person’s wages - will all go. All the things that are an integral part of maintaining standards in the workplace and that are fundamental to the Australian way of life will simply be wiped aside by the Howard government’s industrial relations regime. It might tinker with the edges and give something special for Christmas Day or give a bit here or there. However, the Howard government’s industrial relations program is about undermining the system that has been built up over the past 100 years; a system that provides standards and protections for Australian workers and their families. We know that the Howard government is in a hurry to rush its legislation through Parliament, because the more people know about this package, the more they will reject it. The Howard government will hasten the passage of its legislation in the hope that it can pull this one off without people understanding the full impact of what is a disastrous package for Australian workers and their families. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Does the Deputy Leader of the Opposition agree with that? Mr T.R. Buswell : How many Western Australians are on Australian workplace agreements now? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Members opposite do not have a problem with that. They are happy that Christmas Day, a very special day in Australia, will be like any other working day. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Christmas Day will be like any other working day. However, that of itself is not the big issue. It simply points out that so many of the protections that we take for granted - whether those protections relate to Christmas Day, Anzac Day, paid maternity leave, sick leave or an annual increase in a person’s wages - will all go. All the things that are an integral part of maintaining standards in the workplace and that are fundamental to the Australian way of life will simply be wiped aside by the Howard government’s industrial relations regime. It might tinker with the edges and give something special for Christmas Day or give a bit here or there. However, the Howard government’s industrial relations program is about undermining the system that has been built up over the past 100 years; a system that provides standards and protections for Australian workers and their families. We know that the Howard government is in a hurry to rush its legislation through Parliament, because the more people know about this package, the more they will reject it. The Howard government will hasten the passage of its legislation in the hope that it can pull this one off without people understanding the full impact of what is a disastrous package for Australian workers and their families. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Does the Deputy Leader of the Opposition agree with that? Mr T.R. Buswell : How many Western Australians are on Australian workplace agreements now? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Members opposite do not have a problem with that. They are happy that Christmas Day, a very special day in Australia, will be like any other working day. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Christmas Day will be like any other working day. However, that of itself is not the big issue. It simply points out that so many of the protections that we take for granted - whether those protections relate to Christmas Day, Anzac Day, paid maternity leave, sick leave or an annual increase in a person’s wages - will all go. All the things that are an integral part of maintaining standards in the workplace and that are fundamental to the Australian way of life will simply be wiped aside by the Howard government’s industrial relations regime. It might tinker with the edges and give something special for Christmas Day or give a bit here or there. However, the Howard government’s industrial relations program is about undermining the system that has been built up over the past 100 years; a system that provides standards and protections for Australian workers and their families. We know that the Howard government is in a hurry to rush its legislation through Parliament, because the more people know about this package, the more they will reject it. The Howard government will hasten the passage of its legislation in the hope that it can pull this one off without people understanding the full impact of what is a disastrous package for Australian workers and their families. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
Mr T.R. Buswell : How many Western Australians are on Australian workplace agreements now? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Members opposite do not have a problem with that. They are happy that Christmas Day, a very special day in Australia, will be like any other working day. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Christmas Day will be like any other working day. However, that of itself is not the big issue. It simply points out that so many of the protections that we take for granted - whether those protections relate to Christmas Day, Anzac Day, paid maternity leave, sick leave or an annual increase in a person’s wages - will all go. All the things that are an integral part of maintaining standards in the workplace and that are fundamental to the Australian way of life will simply be wiped aside by the Howard government’s industrial relations regime. It might tinker with the edges and give something special for Christmas Day or give a bit here or there. However, the Howard government’s industrial relations program is about undermining the system that has been built up over the past 100 years; a system that provides standards and protections for Australian workers and their families. We know that the Howard government is in a hurry to rush its legislation through Parliament, because the more people know about this package, the more they will reject it. The Howard government will hasten the passage of its legislation in the hope that it can pull this one off without people understanding the full impact of what is a disastrous package for Australian workers and their families. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Members opposite do not have a problem with that. They are happy that Christmas Day, a very special day in Australia, will be like any other working day. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Christmas Day will be like any other working day. However, that of itself is not the big issue. It simply points out that so many of the protections that we take for granted - whether those protections relate to Christmas Day, Anzac Day, paid maternity leave, sick leave or an annual increase in a person’s wages - will all go. All the things that are an integral part of maintaining standards in the workplace and that are fundamental to the Australian way of life will simply be wiped aside by the Howard government’s industrial relations regime. It might tinker with the edges and give something special for Christmas Day or give a bit here or there. However, the Howard government’s industrial relations program is about undermining the system that has been built up over the past 100 years; a system that provides standards and protections for Australian workers and their families. We know that the Howard government is in a hurry to rush its legislation through Parliament, because the more people know about this package, the more they will reject it. The Howard government will hasten the passage of its legislation in the hope that it can pull this one off without people understanding the full impact of what is a disastrous package for Australian workers and their families. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Christmas Day will be like any other working day. However, that of itself is not the big issue. It simply points out that so many of the protections that we take for granted - whether those protections relate to Christmas Day, Anzac Day, paid maternity leave, sick leave or an annual increase in a person’s wages - will all go. All the things that are an integral part of maintaining standards in the workplace and that are fundamental to the Australian way of life will simply be wiped aside by the Howard government’s industrial relations regime. It might tinker with the edges and give something special for Christmas Day or give a bit here or there. However, the Howard government’s industrial relations program is about undermining the system that has been built up over the past 100 years; a system that provides standards and protections for Australian workers and their families. We know that the Howard government is in a hurry to rush its legislation through Parliament, because the more people know about this package, the more they will reject it. The Howard government will hasten the passage of its legislation in the hope that it can pull this one off without people understanding the full impact of what is a disastrous package for Australian workers and their families. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Christmas Day will be like any other working day. However, that of itself is not the big issue. It simply points out that so many of the protections that we take for granted - whether those protections relate to Christmas Day, Anzac Day, paid maternity leave, sick leave or an annual increase in a person’s wages - will all go. All the things that are an integral part of maintaining standards in the workplace and that are fundamental to the Australian way of life will simply be wiped aside by the Howard government’s industrial relations regime. It might tinker with the edges and give something special for Christmas Day or give a bit here or there. However, the Howard government’s industrial relations program is about undermining the system that has been built up over the past 100 years; a system that provides standards and protections for Australian workers and their families. We know that the Howard government is in a hurry to rush its legislation through Parliament, because the more people know about this package, the more they will reject it. The Howard government will hasten the passage of its legislation in the hope that it can pull this one off without people understanding the full impact of what is a disastrous package for Australian workers and their families. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Christmas Day will be like any other working day. However, that of itself is not the big issue. It simply points out that so many of the protections that we take for granted - whether those protections relate to Christmas Day, Anzac Day, paid maternity leave, sick leave or an annual increase in a person’s wages - will all go. All the things that are an integral part of maintaining standards in the workplace and that are fundamental to the Australian way of life will simply be wiped aside by the Howard government’s industrial relations regime. It might tinker with the edges and give something special for Christmas Day or give a bit here or there. However, the Howard government’s industrial relations program is about undermining the system that has been built up over the past 100 years; a system that provides standards and protections for Australian workers and their families. We know that the Howard government is in a hurry to rush its legislation through Parliament, because the more people know about this package, the more they will reject it. The Howard government will hasten the passage of its legislation in the hope that it can pull this one off without people understanding the full impact of what is a disastrous package for Australian workers and their families. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
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Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.