QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator DAVID POCOCK (Australian Capital Territory—Independent ACT Whip) (14:18): My question is to the minister representing the Minister for Transport. Minister, this morning I met with Queen and Christiana who are both former Carnival Cruise crew members. These young women told me how they were forced to work for just $2.50 an hour, well below Australian minimum wages.

The only reason they were forced to accept such a pittance for their labour is that the Albanese government gave Carnival's Australian ships a ministerial exemption from the coastal trading act. Minister, how can your government support 'same job, same pay', but stand by and see these workers paid so much less in Australian waters?