❓ Question on Notice regarding the repeal of the Workplace Agreements Act and its impact on small businesses and the resources sector. The Minister's response deflects by criticizing the previous government's handling of workplace agreements.
AnsweredQoN 582Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
WORKPLACE AGREEMENTS ACT, REPEAL
I will deviate and acknowledge that the next member for Merredin is in the public gallery. The Liberal Party has formally congratulated him. I refer to the fact that the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia, the Australian Mines and Metals Association, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia and the Combined Small Business Associations of Western Australia have all condemned Labor’s plans to scrap the Workplace Agreements Act, and more than 75 per cent of small businesses that were surveyed just before the last state election also oppose the proposed repeal of the Workplace Agreements Act. (1) How can the minister say that he is listening to the small business community, which he is supposed to represent, when at the same time he supports Labor’s anti-business industrial relations policy? (2) Is the minister prepared to stand by and sacrifice the interests of the business community and the future development of the State’s resources sector in an attempt to satisfy the union movement? Mr BROWN
I will deviate and acknowledge that the next member for Merredin is in the public gallery. The Liberal Party has formally congratulated him. I refer to the fact that the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia, the Australian Mines and Metals Association, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia and the Combined Small Business Associations of Western Australia have all condemned Labor’s plans to scrap the Workplace Agreements Act, and more than 75 per cent of small businesses that were surveyed just before the last state election also oppose the proposed repeal of the Workplace Agreements Act. (1) How can the minister say that he is listening to the small business community, which he is supposed to represent, when at the same time he supports Labor’s anti-business industrial relations policy? (2) Is the minister prepared to stand by and sacrifice the interests of the business community and the future development of the State’s resources sector in an attempt to satisfy the union movement? Mr BROWN
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) The Liberal Party and the National Party promised three things when workplace agreements were introduced. Do members remember the three things that were promised in the election campaign? They promised choice, flexibility and that no-one would be worse off. Were they the promises the Liberal Party made in 1993? Yes? In 1993 we had a long debate in this House about the workplace agreements legislation. We moved some amendments in that debate which sought to ensure that people who were seeking employment would have choice; that is, they would have the right to have or not have a workplace agreement. That is what the Liberal Party promised in 1993 and that is what the Liberal Party did not deliver. That is what the Liberal Party told the people of Western Australia but did not do. The second promise the Liberal and National Parties made in the election campaign in 1993 was that nobody would be worse off. Did they deliver on that promise? Did they accept an amendment to the legislation in Parliament that said nobody who was employed under a workplace agreement would be worse off compared with what they would be paid under the relevant award? No, they did not accept that amendment. Therefore, on two separate occasions, Mr Speaker, the Liberal and National Parties did not deliver on their promises. They know that and the member for Kingsley knows it. I asked question after question of the member for Kingsley, which she avoided answering time and again. Members should read Hansard . It is a real experience to understand how ministers avoid answering questions. She refused to say what was blindingly obvious; that is, that people were worse off and did not have a choice. I shall tell the House about what the Liberal and National Parties promised in 1993, and what the Labor Party intends to deliver. In 1993 they promised flexibility, choice and that nobody would be worse off. When we introduce our legislation next year we will deliver on those promises of flexibility, choice and that nobody will be worse off. We will implement those promises; they did not.
(1) How can the minister say that he is listening to the small business community, which he is supposed to represent, when at the same time he supports Labor’s anti-business industrial relations policy? (2) Is the minister prepared to stand by and sacrifice the interests of the business community and the future development of the State’s resources sector in an attempt to satisfy the union movement? Mr BROWN replied: (1)-(2) The Liberal Party and the National Party promised three things when workplace agreements were introduced. Do members remember the three things that were promised in the election campaign? They promised choice, flexibility and that no-one would be worse off. Were they the promises the Liberal Party made in 1993? Yes? In 1993 we had a long debate in this House about the workplace agreements legislation. We moved some amendments in that debate which sought to ensure that people who were seeking employment would have choice; that is, they would have the right to have or not have a workplace agreement. That is what the Liberal Party promised in 1993 and that is what the Liberal Party did not deliver. That is what the Liberal Party told the people of Western Australia but did not do. The second promise the Liberal and National Parties made in the election campaign in 1993 was that nobody would be worse off. Did they deliver on that promise? Did they accept an amendment to the legislation in Parliament that said nobody who was employed under a workplace agreement would be worse off compared with what they would be paid under the relevant award? No, they did not accept that amendment. Therefore, on two separate occasions, Mr Speaker, the Liberal and National Parties did not deliver on their promises. They know that and the member for Kingsley knows it. I asked question after question of the member for Kingsley, which she avoided answering time and again. Members should read Hansard . It is a real experience to understand how ministers avoid answering questions. She refused to say what was blindingly obvious; that is, that people were worse off and did not have a choice. I shall tell the House about what the Liberal and National Parties promised in 1993, and what the Labor Party intends to deliver. In 1993 they promised flexibility, choice and that nobody would be worse off. When we introduce our legislation next year we will deliver on those promises of flexibility, choice and that nobody will be worse off. We will implement those promises; they did not.
(2) Is the minister prepared to stand by and sacrifice the interests of the business community and the future development of the State’s resources sector in an attempt to satisfy the union movement? Mr BROWN replied: (1)-(2) The Liberal Party and the National Party promised three things when workplace agreements were introduced. Do members remember the three things that were promised in the election campaign? They promised choice, flexibility and that no-one would be worse off. Were they the promises the Liberal Party made in 1993? Yes? In 1993 we had a long debate in this House about the workplace agreements legislation. We moved some amendments in that debate which sought to ensure that people who were seeking employment would have choice; that is, they would have the right to have or not have a workplace agreement. That is what the Liberal Party promised in 1993 and that is what the Liberal Party did not deliver. That is what the Liberal Party told the people of Western Australia but did not do. The second promise the Liberal and National Parties made in the election campaign in 1993 was that nobody would be worse off. Did they deliver on that promise? Did they accept an amendment to the legislation in Parliament that said nobody who was employed under a workplace agreement would be worse off compared with what they would be paid under the relevant award? No, they did not accept that amendment. Therefore, on two separate occasions, Mr Speaker, the Liberal and National Parties did not deliver on their promises. They know that and the member for Kingsley knows it. I asked question after question of the member for Kingsley, which she avoided answering time and again. Members should read Hansard . It is a real experience to understand how ministers avoid answering questions. She refused to say what was blindingly obvious; that is, that people were worse off and did not have a choice. I shall tell the House about what the Liberal and National Parties promised in 1993, and what the Labor Party intends to deliver. In 1993 they promised flexibility, choice and that nobody would be worse off. When we introduce our legislation next year we will deliver on those promises of flexibility, choice and that nobody will be worse off. We will implement those promises; they did not.
Mr BROWN replied: (1)-(2) The Liberal Party and the National Party promised three things when workplace agreements were introduced. Do members remember the three things that were promised in the election campaign? They promised choice, flexibility and that no-one would be worse off. Were they the promises the Liberal Party made in 1993? Yes? In 1993 we had a long debate in this House about the workplace agreements legislation. We moved some amendments in that debate which sought to ensure that people who were seeking employment would have choice; that is, they would have the right to have or not have a workplace agreement. That is what the Liberal Party promised in 1993 and that is what the Liberal Party did not deliver. That is what the Liberal Party told the people of Western Australia but did not do. The second promise the Liberal and National Parties made in the election campaign in 1993 was that nobody would be worse off. Did they deliver on that promise? Did they accept an amendment to the legislation in Parliament that said nobody who was employed under a workplace agreement would be worse off compared with what they would be paid under the relevant award? No, they did not accept that amendment. Therefore, on two separate occasions, Mr Speaker, the Liberal and National Parties did not deliver on their promises. They know that and the member for Kingsley knows it. I asked question after question of the member for Kingsley, which she avoided answering time and again. Members should read Hansard . It is a real experience to understand how ministers avoid answering questions. She refused to say what was blindingly obvious; that is, that people were worse off and did not have a choice. I shall tell the House about what the Liberal and National Parties promised in 1993, and what the Labor Party intends to deliver. In 1993 they promised flexibility, choice and that nobody would be worse off. When we introduce our legislation next year we will deliver on those promises of flexibility, choice and that nobody will be worse off. We will implement those promises; they did not.
(1)-(2) The Liberal Party and the National Party promised three things when workplace agreements were introduced. Do members remember the three things that were promised in the election campaign? They promised choice, flexibility and that no-one would be worse off. Were they the promises the Liberal Party made in 1993? Yes? In 1993 we had a long debate in this House about the workplace agreements legislation. We moved some amendments in that debate which sought to ensure that people who were seeking employment would have choice; that is, they would have the right to have or not have a workplace agreement. That is what the Liberal Party promised in 1993 and that is what the Liberal Party did not deliver. That is what the Liberal Party told the people of Western Australia but did not do. The second promise the Liberal and National Parties made in the election campaign in 1993 was that nobody would be worse off. Did they deliver on that promise? Did they accept an amendment to the legislation in Parliament that said nobody who was employed under a workplace agreement would be worse off compared with what they would be paid under the relevant award? No, they did not accept that amendment. Therefore, on two separate occasions, Mr Speaker, the Liberal and National Parties did not deliver on their promises. They know that and the member for Kingsley knows it. I asked question after question of the member for Kingsley, which she avoided answering time and again. Members should read Hansard . It is a real experience to understand how ministers avoid answering questions. She refused to say what was blindingly obvious; that is, that people were worse off and did not have a choice. I shall tell the House about what the Liberal and National Parties promised in 1993, and what the Labor Party intends to deliver. In 1993 they promised flexibility, choice and that nobody would be worse off. When we introduce our legislation next year we will deliver on those promises of flexibility, choice and that nobody will be worse off. We will implement those promises; they did not.
Therefore, on two separate occasions, Mr Speaker, the Liberal and National Parties did not deliver on their promises. They know that and the member for Kingsley knows it. I asked question after question of the member for Kingsley, which she avoided answering time and again. Members should read Hansard . It is a real experience to understand how ministers avoid answering questions. She refused to say what was blindingly obvious; that is, that people were worse off and did not have a choice. I shall tell the House about what the Liberal and National Parties promised in 1993, and what the Labor Party intends to deliver. In 1993 they promised flexibility, choice and that nobody would be worse off. When we introduce our legislation next year we will deliver on those promises of flexibility, choice and that nobody will be worse off. We will implement those promises; they did not.
I shall tell the House about what the Liberal and National Parties promised in 1993, and what the Labor Party intends to deliver. In 1993 they promised flexibility, choice and that nobody would be worse off. When we introduce our legislation next year we will deliver on those promises of flexibility, choice and that nobody will be worse off. We will implement those promises; they did not.
(1) How can the minister say that he is listening to the small business community, which he is supposed to represent, when at the same time he supports Labor’s anti-business industrial relations policy? (2) Is the minister prepared to stand by and sacrifice the interests of the business community and the future development of the State’s resources sector in an attempt to satisfy the union movement? Mr BROWN replied: (1)-(2) The Liberal Party and the National Party promised three things when workplace agreements were introduced. Do members remember the three things that were promised in the election campaign? They promised choice, flexibility and that no-one would be worse off. Were they the promises the Liberal Party made in 1993? Yes? In 1993 we had a long debate in this House about the workplace agreements legislation. We moved some amendments in that debate which sought to ensure that people who were seeking employment would have choice; that is, they would have the right to have or not have a workplace agreement. That is what the Liberal Party promised in 1993 and that is what the Liberal Party did not deliver. That is what the Liberal Party told the people of Western Australia but did not do. The second promise the Liberal and National Parties made in the election campaign in 1993 was that nobody would be worse off. Did they deliver on that promise? Did they accept an amendment to the legislation in Parliament that said nobody who was employed under a workplace agreement would be worse off compared with what they would be paid under the relevant award? No, they did not accept that amendment. Therefore, on two separate occasions, Mr Speaker, the Liberal and National Parties did not deliver on their promises. They know that and the member for Kingsley knows it. I asked question after question of the member for Kingsley, which she avoided answering time and again. Members should read Hansard . It is a real experience to understand how ministers avoid answering questions. She refused to say what was blindingly obvious; that is, that people were worse off and did not have a choice. I shall tell the House about what the Liberal and National Parties promised in 1993, and what the Labor Party intends to deliver. In 1993 they promised flexibility, choice and that nobody would be worse off. When we introduce our legislation next year we will deliver on those promises of flexibility, choice and that nobody will be worse off. We will implement those promises; they did not.
(2) Is the minister prepared to stand by and sacrifice the interests of the business community and the future development of the State’s resources sector in an attempt to satisfy the union movement? Mr BROWN replied: (1)-(2) The Liberal Party and the National Party promised three things when workplace agreements were introduced. Do members remember the three things that were promised in the election campaign? They promised choice, flexibility and that no-one would be worse off. Were they the promises the Liberal Party made in 1993? Yes? In 1993 we had a long debate in this House about the workplace agreements legislation. We moved some amendments in that debate which sought to ensure that people who were seeking employment would have choice; that is, they would have the right to have or not have a workplace agreement. That is what the Liberal Party promised in 1993 and that is what the Liberal Party did not deliver. That is what the Liberal Party told the people of Western Australia but did not do. The second promise the Liberal and National Parties made in the election campaign in 1993 was that nobody would be worse off. Did they deliver on that promise? Did they accept an amendment to the legislation in Parliament that said nobody who was employed under a workplace agreement would be worse off compared with what they would be paid under the relevant award? No, they did not accept that amendment. Therefore, on two separate occasions, Mr Speaker, the Liberal and National Parties did not deliver on their promises. They know that and the member for Kingsley knows it. I asked question after question of the member for Kingsley, which she avoided answering time and again. Members should read Hansard . It is a real experience to understand how ministers avoid answering questions. She refused to say what was blindingly obvious; that is, that people were worse off and did not have a choice. I shall tell the House about what the Liberal and National Parties promised in 1993, and what the Labor Party intends to deliver. In 1993 they promised flexibility, choice and that nobody would be worse off. When we introduce our legislation next year we will deliver on those promises of flexibility, choice and that nobody will be worse off. We will implement those promises; they did not.
Mr BROWN replied: (1)-(2) The Liberal Party and the National Party promised three things when workplace agreements were introduced. Do members remember the three things that were promised in the election campaign? They promised choice, flexibility and that no-one would be worse off. Were they the promises the Liberal Party made in 1993? Yes? In 1993 we had a long debate in this House about the workplace agreements legislation. We moved some amendments in that debate which sought to ensure that people who were seeking employment would have choice; that is, they would have the right to have or not have a workplace agreement. That is what the Liberal Party promised in 1993 and that is what the Liberal Party did not deliver. That is what the Liberal Party told the people of Western Australia but did not do. The second promise the Liberal and National Parties made in the election campaign in 1993 was that nobody would be worse off. Did they deliver on that promise? Did they accept an amendment to the legislation in Parliament that said nobody who was employed under a workplace agreement would be worse off compared with what they would be paid under the relevant award? No, they did not accept that amendment. Therefore, on two separate occasions, Mr Speaker, the Liberal and National Parties did not deliver on their promises. They know that and the member for Kingsley knows it. I asked question after question of the member for Kingsley, which she avoided answering time and again. Members should read Hansard . It is a real experience to understand how ministers avoid answering questions. She refused to say what was blindingly obvious; that is, that people were worse off and did not have a choice. I shall tell the House about what the Liberal and National Parties promised in 1993, and what the Labor Party intends to deliver. In 1993 they promised flexibility, choice and that nobody would be worse off. When we introduce our legislation next year we will deliver on those promises of flexibility, choice and that nobody will be worse off. We will implement those promises; they did not.
(1)-(2) The Liberal Party and the National Party promised three things when workplace agreements were introduced. Do members remember the three things that were promised in the election campaign? They promised choice, flexibility and that no-one would be worse off. Were they the promises the Liberal Party made in 1993? Yes? In 1993 we had a long debate in this House about the workplace agreements legislation. We moved some amendments in that debate which sought to ensure that people who were seeking employment would have choice; that is, they would have the right to have or not have a workplace agreement. That is what the Liberal Party promised in 1993 and that is what the Liberal Party did not deliver. That is what the Liberal Party told the people of Western Australia but did not do. The second promise the Liberal and National Parties made in the election campaign in 1993 was that nobody would be worse off. Did they deliver on that promise? Did they accept an amendment to the legislation in Parliament that said nobody who was employed under a workplace agreement would be worse off compared with what they would be paid under the relevant award? No, they did not accept that amendment. Therefore, on two separate occasions, Mr Speaker, the Liberal and National Parties did not deliver on their promises. They know that and the member for Kingsley knows it. I asked question after question of the member for Kingsley, which she avoided answering time and again. Members should read Hansard . It is a real experience to understand how ministers avoid answering questions. She refused to say what was blindingly obvious; that is, that people were worse off and did not have a choice. I shall tell the House about what the Liberal and National Parties promised in 1993, and what the Labor Party intends to deliver. In 1993 they promised flexibility, choice and that nobody would be worse off. When we introduce our legislation next year we will deliver on those promises of flexibility, choice and that nobody will be worse off. We will implement those promises; they did not.
Therefore, on two separate occasions, Mr Speaker, the Liberal and National Parties did not deliver on their promises. They know that and the member for Kingsley knows it. I asked question after question of the member for Kingsley, which she avoided answering time and again. Members should read Hansard . It is a real experience to understand how ministers avoid answering questions. She refused to say what was blindingly obvious; that is, that people were worse off and did not have a choice. I shall tell the House about what the Liberal and National Parties promised in 1993, and what the Labor Party intends to deliver. In 1993 they promised flexibility, choice and that nobody would be worse off. When we introduce our legislation next year we will deliver on those promises of flexibility, choice and that nobody will be worse off. We will implement those promises; they did not.
I shall tell the House about what the Liberal and National Parties promised in 1993, and what the Labor Party intends to deliver. In 1993 they promised flexibility, choice and that nobody would be worse off. When we introduce our legislation next year we will deliver on those promises of flexibility, choice and that nobody will be worse off. We will implement those promises; they did not.
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