Mr JOHN COBB (1:36 PM) —Small businesses and rural industries are the fabric of our communities. They are the heart and soul of regional and remote areas—in other words, country Australia. They keep our work force moving forward, they provide all the opportunities, and they provide the go forward and the development for rural communities. The nature of industry and agriculture in country areas dictates the need for a readily available casual work force. This Workplace Relations Amendment (Fair Termination) Bill 2002 will restore to business broad protection from termination of employment claims brought on by short-term casual employees.

According to a survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics last year, one in five employed persons consider themselves to be employed on a casual basis. Of the 1.6 million in that category, 41 per cent were under 25. Casual work suits young people who have chosen a particular career path. Retaining a young work force is crucial to the growth and development of all our country areas. Casual work pays well. It allows young people to support themselves while they pursue studies at university to increase their education. It provides a second income for a young family. It gives schoolchildren the opportunity to enter the work force. Also, it is obviously much cheaper for a business to employ younger people, to give young people a go. Restaurants, cafes, service stations and retail outlets rely on young casuals to ensure businesses can successfully continue to operate effectively in country areas. We must remove the threats that hinder and restrict their growth and development.

In a survey of the effects of unfair dismissal laws conducted by Don Harding it was found that almost 70 per cent of firms surveyed felt the unfair dismissal laws had some influence on their business procedures, while almost 52 per cent of businesses reported that the laws had influenced their procedures for dealing with workers whose performance was unsatisfactory. The point is that threats posed by unfair termination laws are enough to discourage small businesses in country areas from employing casual people. Apart from rural industries, few businesses in country areas employ more than 20 people.

The coalition has attempted to pass small business exemptions into law since it first came into office in 1996, but the resistance has been incredible. The ALP has voted against unfair dismissal reforms 22 times in seven years. It is abundantly clear the ALP does not take the interests of small businesses and country businesses seriously. While we have tried to bring forward job creation measures, the opposition has been preoccupied with measures that add to the uncertainty and fear in small businesses and rural industries right through our communities.

I now want to turn the attention of the House to farming for a moment. As times and technology have changed so has our need for permanent workers. In many cases, machinery has replaced the need for permanent employees. One man can now do what three used to do. Many farmers rely on casual workers during peak seasons such as harvesting and cultivation. Because of that, many workers have had to branch out and provide contract farm services. Shearers may double as header drivers during harvest or may own their own contract equipment to use in the off-season in order to supplement their income. A casual farmhand may service a large community, providing livestock and cropping services to farmers in the district. Their livelihood depends on readily accessible casual work.

Much of our community is geared toward casual employment. Under the Workplace Relations Act, the farmer who considers using the services of casual farmhands or contractors is frightened off by the threat of unfair dismissal. It is not only farmers; small businesses both in my electorate and right across the land are very frightened by the prospect of unfair dismissal laws. The agricultural sector as a whole has a very small permanent work force—it is geared to casual labour. The National Farmers Federation pointed out to our Democrat colleagues that the exclusion of casual employees from unfair dismissal laws is essential for the efficient operation of agriculture. The NFF said:

If Labor truly believe in supporting regional and country Australia, they must learn that they have to move with the times. Labor have to recognise that small business in country Australia is mainly geared to a casual work force. If they want to see us truly develop as a community and see investment in small business, they must allow the government to pass a law, which it has been trying to do for six years, which would give some real confidence, heart and willingness to invest in new ideas and new developments. We must give small business the ability to employ people on a short-term basis without fear of retribution.