Penalty rates an election issue: Cormann

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann says any proposed changes to weekend penalty rates will be taken to the next election.

Senator Cormann says it's up to the Fair Work Commission to respond to the Productivity Commission's recommendation to reduce Sunday penalty rates to those paid on Saturday.

"Whether we will do any more as part of a second-term agenda is something we have to consider between now and the next election," he told the Ten Network on Sunday.

Assistant shadow treasurer Andrew Leigh said the threat of a cut in penalty rates came at a time when wages growth was at its slowest in 15 years.

He said many low-wage workers relied on penalty rates, which were simply compensation for the fact those working on weekends won't get to see the AFL and NRL grand finals.

"We play these games on weekends, just as we do a whole load of socialising on weekends," he told Sky News.