When Labor's bill to stop the Fair Work Commission's cuts to Sunday penalty rates went up for debate in the Senate, Greens senator Scott Ludlam not only voiced his support.
He also predicted an embarrassing loss for the Federal Government.
"The funny thing is that they only ever call it 'class warfare' when we fight back. Well, call it what you will, but, today, we are fighting back. When this bill is committed to a vote, it's very likely to pass. Get used to it."
And pass it did -- with the help of an unlikely crossbench coalition.
One Nation, Derryn Hinch and The Xenophon Team senators all backtracked on their previous positions to side with Labor.
The Fair Work Commission had handed down a decision on cuts to the Sunday penalty rates of retail, hospitality and fast-food workers last month. (feb)
Liberal senator James Paterson says the Opposition is undermining the commission's independence.
"The union movement and the Labor Party are only willing to accept decisions of the independent umpire -- or, in fact, of the parliament -- if they are decisions that they agree with."
The bill will now head to the House of Representatives, where the Government is expected to use its slim majority to vote it down.
But Labor senator Doug Cameron says he hopes a Nationals MP will cross the floor to foil that.
"It's the National Party in their seats, where workers depend on weekend penalty rates to make a living, that should be out there supporting this bill in the lower house."
The Senate has a lot more work to do and has once again had its hours extended to midnight.
The crossbench remains divided over where to draw the line on the Turnbull Government's planned cuts to company tax.
The Coalition is trying to cut the rate for all businesses to 25 per cent, estimated to cost $50 billion in lost revenue over a decade.
But One Nation leader Pauline Hanson says she is unwilling to cut tax for companies with an annual turnover greater than $50 million.
"Fifty-million-dollar turnover is not a whole lot in some of these ... for instance, a car yard, so their turnover ... I think it's reasonable to look at $50 million. I won't go any higher."
Nick Xenophon says he wants the cut-off to be even lower, at $10 million.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has attacked the Government for pursuing tax cuts for big business while failing to join Labor in recommending a rise in the minimum wage.
"Why does the Prime Minister believe that Australia's biggest companies deserve a $50 billion tax handout but a worker on $17.70 per hour doesn't deserve a decent pay rise?"
The Government has urged the Fair Work Commission to be cautious about raising the minimum wage.
It argues a wage hike would be expensive for employers and discourage job creation.
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