Dr LAWRENCE —My question is directed to the Minister for Family Services. As the minister responsible for the family, and recognising the important role of women in the family, particularly where the woman is the sole provider, does the minister agree with the comments made by the Commonwealth Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Sue Walpole, that the government's industrial relations policy will limit the ability of women to achieve workplace equality and, in particular, to achieve equal pay?

Mr Bevis —Not even you believe that sort of stuff, John.

Mr Howard —By Sue Walpole; I certainly don't.

Mrs MOYLAN —I thank the member for that question. The fact is that the Prime Minister has just very adequately answered that question in his previous answer. Jennie George in fact acknowledged that under the accord women had suffered dreadfully.

Opposition members interjecting—

Mrs MOYLAN —Oh yes they had. Those figures are on the public record. All that the accord did was protect men in the community—male wages. Under the accord women were still earning less than the equivalent male wage, and that situation had continued. In addition to this the Prime Minister was quite right when he said that, under the rigidities of the industrial relations system that we had to suffer under a Labor government, there was no flexibility for women in the work force.