Holidays and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2019

As committee member, acknowledged both supportive and opposing stakeholders. Did not explicitly declare for or against the bill, noting the religious and cultural significance of Christmas Eve celebrations.

“We will be recognising the importance of Christmas celebrations.”— 2019-11-27View Hansard

As Minister for Industrial Relations, moved the second reading and strongly advocated for the bill, arguing it recognises the special status of Christmas Eve and provides workers with the right to refuse work or receive penalty rates for working during family time.

“The Palaszczuk government believes that these workers should get the extra legal protections and entitlements that come with a public holiday.”— 2019-11-26View Hansard

Supported the bill as ensuring workers receive proper compensation for working on Christmas Eve.

“I commend the bill to the House.”— 2019-11-27View Hansard

Strongly opposed the bill, arguing it is a union-driven tax on business that will cost jobs, force businesses to close on Christmas Eve, and hurt employees who want to work for extra pay.

“This legislation will have a negative impact on employees. Employees will not make any extra money on Christmas Eve. The employees I speak to like working on public holidays, Christmas Eve and other days because they make more money to pay for their Christmas presents and their bills over Christmas.”— 2019-11-26View Hansard

Strongly opposed the bill, arguing it would negatively impact hundreds of thousands of small and medium businesses. Noted employer groups categorically opposed the part-day public holiday.

“I will not be supporting this bill.”— 2019-11-27View Hansard

As committee chair, supported the bill noting the personal significance of Christmas Eve and that penalty rates or the right to refuse work provides appropriate balance, speaking from personal experience of family members being unable to get time off.

“The protections afforded in this bill are important. The compensation afforded in this bill to those who do work in the form of appropriate penalty rates is important.”— 2019-11-26View Hansard

Supported the bill as properly recognising the significance of Christmas Eve for workers.

“I commend the bill to the House.”— 2019-11-27View Hansard

Opposed the bill as fundamentally flawed, citing concerns it will cost jobs, increase prices, and force small businesses to close, noting CCIQ data that 48 per cent of small businesses would close on Christmas Eve under the changes.

“This bill will hurt Queenslanders. It is inconsistent with the vast majority of the nation and is only being rushed through ahead of Christmas because of next year's state election.”— 2019-11-26View Hansard

Strongly opposed the bill, calling it a 'kick in the guts' for small businesses. Argued the government operated in a bubble disconnected from mum-and-dad small businesses.

“This legislation is a kick in the guts for a lot of mum-and-dad small businesses.”— 2019-11-27View Hansard

Supported the bill from a small business and regional Queensland perspective, arguing six hours of penalty rates is fair compensation for workers missing family time on Christmas Eve and dismissing opposition claims of economic devastation.

“If you have to work on Christmas Eve and you have to take time away from your family, I think you should be compensated and renumerated. I believe that is fair.”— 2019-11-26View Hansard

Opposed the bill, urging the government to give serious thought to its impact on businesses.

“I urge the government to give serious thought to the contents of this bill.”— 2019-11-27View Hansard

Opposed the bill as deputy committee chair, citing submissions from tourism and business groups representing over 559,000 businesses and members who warned of job losses, reduced hours, and businesses closing on Christmas Eve.

“No-one other than the unions was asking for this holiday before it was introduced as a Bill.”— 2019-11-26View Hansard

Supported the bill and commended the minister for introducing it.

“I rise to make a brief contribution in support of the bill.”— 2019-11-27View Hansard

Supported the bill as a committee member, arguing it protects workers' rights and wages, noting similar provisions exist in South Australia and Northern Territory without causing economic collapse, and that businesses can apply surcharges if needed.

“Ensuring their wages are protected, ensuring a better take-home pay packet and protecting their rights in light of the onslaught by this federal government is fair and just, and it is what we are doing.”— 2019-11-26View Hansard

Strongly opposed the bill, quoting the Australian Retailers Association that the case was 'flawed at best and baseless at worst'. Argued the LNP had no choice but to vehemently oppose it.

“The LNP has no choice but to vehemently oppose this bill.”— 2019-11-27View Hansard

As Minister for Agriculture, supported the bill and its recognition of workers' rights on Christmas Eve.

“I rise to speak in support of the Holidays and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2019.”— 2019-11-27View Hansard

Supported the bill as a former nurse who regularly worked Christmas Eve shifts.

“I support this legislation.”— 2019-11-27View Hansard

As Premier, supported the bill.

“I commend the bill to the House.”— 2019-11-27View Hansard

Opposed the bill, arguing it was a kowtow to the union movement and would harm small businesses.

“This is the same mob that the ALP support, and that shows a direct kowtow to the union movement.”— 2019-11-27View Hansard

Supported the bill as recognising the importance of Christmas Eve for workers and families.

“I commend the bill to the House.”— 2019-11-27View Hansard

Explicitly opposed the bill, noting that of the submissions in support, 1,149 came from shop workers' union members while employer groups opposed it.

“I oppose the bill.”— 2019-11-27View Hansard

Supported the bill as properly compensating workers on Christmas Eve.

“Today I rise to speak in support of the Holidays and Other Legislation Amendment Bill.”— 2019-11-27View Hansard

Strongly opposed the bill, arguing it would cause businesses to close on Christmas Eve and that profits pay wages and lead to investment.

“Profits pay wages. Profits lead to investment. Profits pay tax. This bill cruels all of that.”— 2019-11-27View Hansard

Supported the bill as properly recognising workers' rights.

“I rise to speak in support of the Holidays and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2019.”— 2019-11-27View Hansard

As Minister for Industrial Relations, replied in debate and moved the bill through to passage. Defended the bill against opposition criticism.

“I commend the bill and the amendments to the House.”— 2019-11-27View Hansard