Crossbenchers push to strip penalty rates

Two crossbench senators want to strip penalty rates from employees who work for small businesses.

Liberal Democrat David Leyonhjelm and Family First's Bob Day have introduced a private bill that would allow small business owners to avoid paying most penalty rates.

Employers would only have to pay staff penalty rates if they worked on a public holiday, more than a 10-hour shift or if weekend work was in addition to a 38-hour working week.