Senator SHERRY (7:17 PM) —On the same point—

The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT (Senator Moore)—Equal opportunity for women?

Senator SHERRY —Yes, equal opportunity for women. I am going to deal quite directly with the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency report for 2005-06 and the issues raised. Just by way of response to that largely irrelevant speech contributed by Senator McGauran from the National Party: I find it of passing interest that the only person on behalf of the Liberal-National Party government who can give any sort of guarantee about the outcome of the industrial relations legislation is Senator McGauran, and the only guarantee given is that no-one will be sacked for chewing chewing gum. That was the only guarantee we could extract from a representative of the Liberal-National Party government. That really does say a lot—

Senator Marshall —We’re all relieved!

Senator SHERRY —I am sure we are all relieved. What about a guarantee of no reductions in penalty rates, shift loadings or public holidays? What about a guarantee of no reduction over time in the minimum wage, Senator McGauran? You seem to have taken up the cause and been the personal emissary of the Prime Minister, Mr Howard. Why don’t you come in here and give a guarantee on other issues, Senator McGauran?

Senator McGauran may not be aware that there have actually been a number of unfair dismissal cases—I do not have the references here but I will get them and bring them here next week—involving the dismissal and reinstatement, fortunately, of individuals who have eaten a sweet out of a broken sweet packet in shops. They have been summarily dismissed and reinstated. Whilst it is not chewing gum, it is a very similar type of offence. The Labor Party does not allege that the majority or, indeed, a considerable minority of employers engage in poor treatment of and behaviour towards their employees. The Labor Party does not allege that. I seek leave to continue my remarks later.

Leave granted; debate interrupted.