The SDA welcomes the commitment of the Albanese government, if re-elected, to legislate to protect penalty rates.
If Peter Dutton were fair dinkum he would immediately make the same pledge.
This is not theoretical. As we mark the Easter long weekend, the Australian Retailers Association and other big business organisations are in the Fair Work Commission seeking to have penalty rates scrapped for some workers in the retail sector.
The government has gone into bat opposing the employers’ application.
Quotes from Gerard Dwyer, National Secretary of the SDA:
“The Albanese government is to be congratulated and demonstrates how important penalty rates are for employees working unsociable hours as the rest of us enjoy time with our families.
“Mr Dutton should show the voters where he stands especially given he has previously voted no fewer than eight times against protecting penalty rates.
“This is another example of the Labor government protecting workers wages and conditions in line with its submission to the Annual Wage Review calling for a real wage increase.”
Contact: Jim Middleton 0418 627066