Senator CASH (Western Australia—Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service, Minister for Employment and Minister for Women) (14:13): I thank Senator Ketter for his question. Senator Ketter, I have already been asked a question in this place on penalty rates and I responded that the government's position was that penalty rates are set by the Fair Work Commission. That is and remains the government's position. I would, though, now take the opportunity to remind you that the only time that penalty rates have been changed by the Fair Work Commission—and, in fact, reduced—is as a result of a review commissioned by the now Leader of the Opposition, Mr Shorten. In addition to that—and thank you again for giving me the opportunity to remind those listening—the only person with a history in this place of ensuring that the lowest paid workers in this country have their penalty rates not just reduced but absolutely obliterated, slashed and cut without any compensation at all is, of course, the now Leader of the Opposition, Mr Shorten. This is what happens— The PRESIDENT: Pause the clock. Senator Moore: Mr President, I rise on a point of order going to relevance. The question was about comments made by Senator McGrath referring to penalty rates as mini cyclones. Does the minister agree? The PRESIDENT: The minister has been addressing the issue of penalty rates, but you are correct in that the question was: 'Does the minister consider penalty rates to be mini cyclones?' Senator CASH: Unlike those on the other side, on this side of politics we actually encourage people to have opinions, because, when you have a discussion and a variety of opinions, you are able to make a good policy. Senator McGrath is entitled to his opinion. I am sure it is based on the fact that he has spoken to people, probably in the hospitality and tourism industries, who would agree with him. There is a reason that the Fair Work Commission did what it did in relation to penalty rates. They reduced the rate of pay on a Sunday to that paid on a Saturday, because they understood that there was an impact on a particular industry— The PRESIDENT: Pause the clock. Senator Moore: Mr President, I rise on a point of order going to relevance. Does the minister agree? The PRESIDENT: I stand to be corrected, but I wrote down: 'Does the minister consider that penalty rates— Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: In any event, the minister has been dealing with penalty rates. She has seven seconds in which to complete her answer. Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order on my left. Whether the question contained 'agree' or 'consider', I will leave it up to the minister to determine how she heard the question. Minister, you have seven seconds in which to answer. Senator CASH: As I said, the only person in this place with a history in relation to penalty rates and ripping off the workers is Mr Shorten. (Time expired)