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

The majority voted against an amendment to the usual second reading motion, which is "that the bill be read a second time" (parliamentary jargon for agreeing with the main idea of the bill). This amendment was introduced by Cook MP Simon Kennedy (Liberal).

Amendment text

That all words after "House" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:

(1) notes the Government has failed to consult meaningfully with Australian small businesses on the impact of the Bill;

(2) condemns the Government for refusing to allow the Bill to be referred to a parliamentary committee for proper scrutiny and stakeholder input;

(3) expresses concern that:

(a) no Regulatory Impact Statement has been provided to assess how the Bill will affect small business employment and operating costs;

(b) the Government cannot say how many small businesses will be impacted by the proposed changes; and

(c) key industry stakeholders, including the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Australian Industry Group, Australian Retailers Association and the Minerals Council of Australia, have warned the Bill will undermine flexibility, increase compliance complexity and reduce productivity; and

(4) calls on the Government to:

(a) immediately release a Regulatory Impact Statement;

(b) publish modelling of the Bill's economic and employment effects on small businesses;

(c) restore a clear consultation pathway for small business stakeholders; and

(d) amend the Bill to ensure the Fair Work Commission retains sufficient flexibility to approve award variations that enable higher pay and simpler conditions where supported by both employers and employees".