Warren Entsch (Leichhardt, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is addressed to the Minister for Human Services. Would the minister inform the House what the government is doing to get more Australians into work and what initiatives have been undertaken recently, particularly in regional and remote areas?

Joe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Leichhardt for his question and note his interest in jobs. In addition to the $3.6 billion Welfare to Work program, which is going very well, Centrelink has been holding a series of job expos in remote parts of Australia and held one in Mount Isa last week. At that job expo, more than 500 people made their way through over 35 stalls and there were more than 250 jobs advertised. The government believes in matching potential workers with real jobs. The two questions that are being asked by potential workers are these: firstly, ‘Are my wages going to be good?’ Under the Howard government, real wages have increased by more than 16 per cent over the last 10 years. That is a great outcome for Australia’s workers. The second question they ask is: ‘What about my job security?’

Sharon Bird (Cunningham, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Ms Bird interjecting

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The member for Cunningham is warned!

Joe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In relation to job security, it is a fundamental point that no government can guarantee a job, no trade union can guarantee a job—only economic prosperity can guarantee jobs. That economic prosperity comes about through hard reform—such as reforms of the taxation system, changes in government fiscal policies and the introduction of Work Choices. Work Choices has delivered higher wages. It has delivered more than 205,000 jobs, and it has delivered the lowest level of industrial disputation since 1913.

I met a guy who runs a sugar mill in south Cairns who said that he had put an employee who cuts the grass on an AWA because the fellow had said, ‘My wife works in hospitality two days a week and starts work at 6 am, so can I start work at 6 am?’ The boss said, ‘I would love to give you that flexibility.’ That worker who cuts the grass at the sugar mill said amen to AWAs. Then I went to Townsville, to the member for Herbert’s electorate. There he is in the chamber.

Gavan O'Connor (Corio, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Gavan O’Connor interjecting

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Corio is warned.

Joe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I met an electrician who, because of AWAs, is now able to pick up his kids after school at three o’clock. He said amen to AWAs. Then I went to Bundaberg and met a fantastic number of workers who had signed a collective agreement. They now have a flexibility that gives them better wages and that responds to their individual needs.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The minister will resume his seat. The minister will be heard. I call the minister.

Joe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is a fundamental truth that Work Choices is delivering flexibility for Australian workers, it is delivering higher wages, it is delivering better job security and it is delivering economic prosperity for all Australians.

John Howard (Bennelong, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.