The Andrews Labor Government is delivering on its promise to protect penalty rates, with legislation introduced today that will enshrine the Easter Sunday, Christmas Day and Grand Final Friday public holidays in law.
The new laws will ensure hard-working Victorians get more time to spend with family and friends, and that those who do have to work get paid properly.
These public holidays are currently gazetted by the Andrews Labor Government as public holidays year after year – writing them into law will make sure they are permanently protected.
It’s in stark contrast to the ongoing, repeated efforts by successive Liberal Governments – both state and federal – to undermine Victorians’ working conditions.
The Federal Liberal Government oversaw the Fair Work Commission’s decision to cut Sunday and public holiday rates for retail, hospitality and accommodation workers and the Victorian Liberals backed it in.
Unlike the Liberals, the Labor Government supports penalty rates, and supports giving Victorians a chance to spend time with family and friends.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industrial Relations Tim Pallas
“Victorians work hard – they deserve a chance to relax with family and friends. And if they have to work, they deserved to be paid properly.”
“Legislating these public holidays will make it harder for future Liberal Government’s to strip hard working Victorians of the penalty rates they are entitled to.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Small Business Adem Somyurek
“We promised to lock these public holidays in by changing the law and we are delivering.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020