Senator ABETZ (12:15 AM) —Quickly summing up, I understand what Senator Siewert said but, having listened to a homily about how the government had an absolute mandate, had a right and should be supported in bringing in policies for which it stood at the last election in relation to a previous matter, I remind the chamber that this was the cast-iron guarantee given under Labor’s policy:

This is a complete breach of faith with the Australian people and with what was promised. The government, at that time in opposition, promised this so as to clothe themselves in the economic conservative apparel that they were trying to clothe themselves in. Of course, now that the election is over, they are trying to rip it off as quickly as possible. The problem for Ms Gillard and the government is that these words are actually recorded. I note, with interest, that the minister does not deny the words that I quoted out of Forward with Fairness and does not deny that she made those promises. What we say is that negotiating an agreement is about trying to find areas on which you can agree. If you cannot agree on something, then you should not be forced under law to have someone else impose an agreement on you—especially in these circumstances, where there is the strong safety net of the National Employment Standards that has been created by the bill. What this is doing is introducing compulsory arbitration in circumstances where Labor gave a cast-iron guarantee not to introduce such a regime.

Question negatived.