Shop Trading Hours

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (15:04): Supplementary: can the Treasurer confirm what the penalty is for the employer if they are found to have forced a staff member to work on that day?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (15:04): Contrary to the outrageous and scurrilous claims being made by her colleague earlier that I wanted to gaol people for offences under the shop trading legislation, my recollection is that it is a maximum penalty of up to, I think $100,000, but I will have that checked and if it is a lower sum than that I will come back and correct the record. That is the maximum, of course, in relation to the penalty. As I said, if it is not exactly that number, I will come back and correct the record, but there is a significant financial penalty potentially available there should someone break the law in relation to forcing an employee to work against their wishes.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Ms Bourke, a further supplementary.