Premier

Andrews Government Rejects Plan To Hurt Workers

04 August 2015

Today’s release of the Productivity Commission’s interim report has foreshadowed an Abbott Government attack on penalty rates and the creation of a a two-tiered system of workers' entitlements.

Minister for Industrial Relations Natalie Hutchins said the Commission’s proposal to cut penalty rates would hit the thousands of Victorian retail and hospitality workers who work on Sunday, while the reintroduction of Australian Workplace Agreements would hurt many more.

Ms Hutchins said that despite the Abbott Government’s claims that penalty rates and workers conditions were off the table, it was Treasurer Joe Hockey who had established the inquiry’s Terms of Reference.

Analysis shows that 213,000 Victorian employees usually work Sundays in their main job, with many relying on penalty rates to put meals on the table, put petrol in the car and pay their bills.

The Andrews Labor Government has previously highlighted the drastic impact cuts to penalty rates would have on hardworking Victorians as part of its submission to the Productivity Commission earlier this year.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Industrial Relations Natalie Hutchins

“The Abbott Government is hiding its plan to cut wages and conditions behind an inquiry. If they aren’t considering cuts, then why did Joe Hockey request that the Productivity Commission examine them?"

“Cutting wages and conditions creates an underclass of workers and it doesn’t improve productivity. Instead of attacking working people and resurrecting the worst elements of Work Choices, the Abbott Government should come up with fair ways to grow our economy.”

“The Andrews Labor Government fully support the rights of workers to collectively bargain for fair terms and conditions. And we know how important penalty rates are to Victorian workers and their families. We will fight tooth and nail to protect them.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

Was this page helpful?