Sudmalis in tears as penalty rate debate heats up in Parliament: photos, video

For the second time in as many days, the Liberal MP found herself under attack from the Opposition during question time on Wednesday afternoon.

Labor’s Stephen Jones used a question without notice to take aim at Ms Sudmalis’ support for the cuts.

“My question’s to the Prime Minister, and I refer to the Prime Minister’s recent visit to the electorate of Gilmore and the Member for Gilmore’s statement yesterday [Tuesday] that it’s a gift for our young people that their penalty rates have been cut,” the Whitlam MP said, about 2.45pm.

“On that visit, did the Prime Minister and the member tell the people of Gilmore that it was government policy to cut their penalty rates? And why does the Prime Minister and the Member for Gilmore support cutting penalty rates of Australians?”

Ms Sudmalis could be seen exhaling as the question was being asked.

In reply, the Leader of the House, Christopher Pyne, stepped in – using a point of order to state that because the Prime Minister visited an electorate “doesn’t mean he’s responsible for the statements of the member”. 

“It’s not within his responsibility and the question should therefore be ruled out of order,” Mr Pyne said.

The Speaker, Tony Smith, said Mr Pyne had made “an entirely valid point” regarding the first part of the question, but ruled the rest of the question “in order”. 

In his response, Mr Turnbull said the government’s policy was to support the Fair Work Commission.

“Our position has been to respect the independent umpire and the decision, the complex decision,” the Prime Minister said.

About six minutes after Mr Jones asked the question, and during the response to a subsequent question about security against terrorism, Ms Sudmalis appeared upset. 

In the moments before she was seen wiping away tears, Mr Pyne had turned to Ms Sudmalis and spoken to her for about 30 seconds. 

It is unclear what was said.

Ms Sudmalis was contacted for comment on Wednesday afternoon.

Earlier this week, Ms Sudmalis told the Mercury that plans to slash Sunday and public holiday penalty rates were “not cutting wages”, rather “opening the door” on more jobs. 

“It’s not cutting wages, it’s opening the door for more hours of employment and in a regional area like Gilmore, with almost double the national youth unemployment, that’s a gift; that is a gift for our young people to get a foot in the door of employment,” Ms Sudmalis said.

Return to sender – that was the message from unions to the Member for Gilmore, Ann Sudmalis, on Wednesday.

With mock ‘unwanted gifts’ in hand, South Coast Labour Council (SCLC) representatives and Unions NSW secretary Mark Morey slammed the Liberal MP for saying penalty rates were “a gift” for young people.

“This is from all of us ... on behalf of the weekend workers of the Shoalhaven,” SCLC secretary Arthur Rorris said.

“Everyone’s been receiving these gift packages from Ann Sudmalis, that is a $6000 a year pay cut, and we’re just saying they’ll be returned to sender as an unwanted gift.

“Thanks, but no thanks, Ann. That’s not the kind of gift that the people of the Shoalhaven, or anywhere frankly, expect from their local member.”    

Mr Morey, who was in Wollongong on Wednesday, said the MP’s comments were “offensive”.  

“I think Sudmalis is out of touch, not only with young people but her whole constituency,” Mr Morey said.

Ms Sudmalis told the Mercury this week the proposed penalty cuts would be “a gift for our young people to get a foot in the door of employment”.  

The Liberal MP also deflected a CFMEU-led attack, claiming she “did nothing” to prevent the cuts, saying the decision was made by the Fair Work Commissioner, not the government.