Question Time

Coles Enterprise Agreement

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:02): My question is to the Premier. Had the Minister for Police informed the Premier prior to his appointment as minister that the Coles enterprise agreement negotiated by the SDA was under challenge in the Fair Work Commission for failing to pass the 'better off overall' test and, if not, did he disclose that information to the Premier prior to the Full Court decision on 31 May this year, which confirmed that there had been a $70 million underpayment to Coles workers?

The SPEAKER: The deputy leader is now asking the Premier if he is aware of information which is publicly available to any Australian, namely, a decision of the Fair Work Commission. The Premier.

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Unley is warned.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (15:03): I love it when the Liberals cry crocodile tears over penalty rates—I just love it. Their life's ambition is to get rid of these things and, when they look like they are under threat, they are on the side of the workers. What a mealy-mouthed question to be asking this side of the chamber!

Ms Sanderson: You're on the side of getting more union members. You don't care about the people, do you?

The SPEAKER: The member for Adelaide is warned for the second and final time.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: The truth is that we have, I think, a robust system of the protection of penalty rates and the rights of workers, and it is the Industrial Relations Commission.

Ms Chapman: Did he tell you before you appointed—

The SPEAKER: The deputy leader is on two warnings.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: I think it is comforting to know that the—

The Hon. J.M. Rankine interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Wright is called to order.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: —industrial relations architecture of the nation actually does protect workers in circumstances where their terms and conditions have been inappropriately diluted. But let's be absolutely clear about this: there is only one party and there is only one set of institutions in civil society that fight for workers' rights—that's the trade union movement and the Labor movement—

The SPEAKER: Point of order.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: —and on this side of the chamber we stand there ready to protect them.

Ms CHAPMAN: This question was very specific—

The SPEAKER: Yes, the question was very specific and the Premier is answering it.

Ms CHAPMAN: —about—

The SPEAKER: And if the deputy leader continues she will be removed from the house under the sessional order. The Premier.

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Unley is warned for the second and final time.

Mr Duluk interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Davenport is warned for the second and final time.

Mr Gardner: Seeking the call for a question, I believe, sir.

The SPEAKER: He's not seeking leave for an interjection?

Mr Gardner: No, sir.

The SPEAKER: The member for Unley.

Mr PISONI: No, sir; that would be disorderly, surely.