Thursday 24 July 2025

“The Albanese Government choosing ignorance on the impact of their new industrial relations laws shows Australians are coming second to paying off their political patrons,” said Shadow Minister for Industrial Relation, Employment and Small Business, Tim Wilson.

“To inform its position the Coalition put to the Minister some pretty reasonable requests and questions - how many small businesses will be impacted? She didn’t know. Will there be a Regulatory Impact Statement to understand the impact on small business? No.”

“Ignorance isn’t a policy - penalty rates aren’t paid on jobs that don’t exist

“Improving standards of living is about incomes and flexibility so Australians can afford to pay for the petrol and pick up their kids from school around their work schedule.

“We have record business insolvencies, rising small unemployment and a growing Albanese economic sink hole, and the response from the Minister is to stick her head in the sand.

“The Coalition supports penalty rates because we want to empower Australians to get ahead and have agency over their future.

“The Coalition is carefully considering its position on this legislation to back workers and small businesses to get ahead. If the government wants our support they should get basic information on its impact.

“The Government might choose ignorance, but we won’t, and we will go out and speak to small business and ask their opinion about these laws.”

Mr Wilson confirmed the Coalition would consult directly with small businesses, employees and sector groups before finalising a position on the Bill.

“Labor always sees workplace relations through the lens of control, conformity and conflict. We believe in partnership. That means backing small business and workers.”

ENDS