Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Penalty and Overtime Rates) Bill 2025

Senator WATT (Queensland—Minister for the Environment and Water) (18:05): Again, I don't know exactly why those words were used in the explanatory memorandum, but, to the extent that there is a loophole, what we're talking about is the fact that, under the current law, without this amendment, it is possible for awards to be varied in a way that leaves workers worse off through the loss of their penalty rates, notwithstanding any additional compensation they receive.

I've already put to you some evidence that was presented by at least one union, which demonstrated that that would be the effect for workers in the retail sector.