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

The majority voted against an amendment to the usual second reading amendment, which is "that the bill be read a second time" (parliamentary jargon for agreeing with the main idea of the bill). The amendment was introduced by Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie (Jacqui Lambie Network).

Amendment text

At the end of the motion, add ", but the Senate notes that:

(a) the Labor Government has broken its promise to review and standardise the definition of small and medium business across legislation, creating ongoing confusion for industry and adding to compliance burdens; and

(b) small businesses continue to face significant financial pressures, and that a lower company tax rate of 15 per cent for small businesses would provide meaningful relief, strengthen viability, and encourage job creation".