Senator CHRIS EVANS (Western Australia—Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:09): I thank Senator Furner for his question and his ongoing interest in these issues. Since Labor came to office in 2007 we have delivered on our promise to create fairness in the workplace while continuing to create large numbers of jobs. We are especially proud that our reforms have delivered greater fairness for the lowest-paid working Australians, many of whom are women. Labor's reforms include abolishing Work Choices and ending AWAs, the Liberal Party's preferred method of regulating— Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Evans, resume your seat. Both sides: Senator Evans is entitled to be heard in silence. Senator CHRIS EVANS: The government abolished the Liberal's Work Choices. We introduced the Fair Work Act, we delivered Australia's first Paid Parental Leave Scheme, we broadened the definition of pay equity and we restored fairness in unfair dismissal laws for 2.8 million Australians. This is delivering real opportunities and protection for women workers. We have to remember that equal pay has still not been achieved in Australia. Women still earn over 17 per cent less than men. That is clearly unacceptable in the 21st century and that is why Labor is committed to doing something about it. That is why Labor has extended equal remuneration provisions in the Fair Work Act to include the right to equal pay for work of comparative value, with more generous tests than ever before. We are doing something about it, and it is interesting that the Liberal Party mouth platitudes about support but when it comes to actually supporting real measures, like the application for SACS workers, they go missing. They provide reasons why it should not be done. As I understand it, Joe Hockey— The PRESIDENT: Order! You need to refer to people correctly. Senator CHRIS EVANS: Mr Hockey, the Shadow Treasurer, regarded equal pay for SACS workers as reckless. He described moving to assist those workers as reckless. Labor actually believes it is about equality and fairness, and we will continue to pursue such policies. (Time expired)