The next couple of months will be crucial for Australians – as we head to the polls. It’s important to know that in addition to the work of the SDA for our members and the work of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) for all workers in Australia, Governments also have a significant impact on worker entitlements.
There are several important issues that SDA members should carefully consider before the upcoming election this year.
Wages
The majority of our members receive the wage increases awarded by the Fair Work Commission (FWC) each year in the Annual Wage Review.
Our members are hurting with the cost of living pressures and need a significant wage increase this year.
The Commission has a high regard for the Federal Government’s view in the Annual Wage Review. It is influential.
Last year, the Albanese Federal Government urged the FWC to ensure the real wages of Australia’s low-paid workers did not go backwards – this advocacy, along with submissions from the SDA and ACTU helped workers achieve a 3.75% increase to the Modern Award last year.
The big question is – what will the Federal Government argue for in the Commission this year? Will it argue for a significant wage increase to help with the cost of living pressure?
The actions of the next Federal Government will help determine your wages for the next three years.
Superannuation
Another issue of concern for our members is their superannuation retirement benefits.
Employer superannuation contributions will reach 12% on 1 July 2025 after several years of 0.5% increases – but should have reached 12% many years ago. Liberal Goverments have consistantly delayed increases over many years. A number of Liberal members in the Federal Government are arguing that Superannuation should now be decreased to 9% – losing an average 30-year-old worker around $165,000 in retirement income.
The figure of 12%-15% employer superannuation contribution is regarded as the minimum necessary to ensure workers have a decent superannuation amount for retirement.
The actions of the next Federal Government, to be elected this year, will help determine if the employer superannuation contribution rises to 12% or is potentially decreased.
Secure Jobs, Better Pay & Closing Loopholes
After winning the last election, the current Federal Government committed to making changes to industrial relations laws to improve the working lives of Australians.
They followed through on this commitment with the Secure Jobs, Better Pay Bill in 2022 and the “Closing Loopholes” Bill in 2023, which implemented important changes to Australia’s industrial relations.
Changes include:
- Changing the objectives in the Fair Work Act to promote job security and gender equality;
- Improvements to the Enterprise bargaining process;
- More employees can access flexible working arrangements;
- Criminalising wage theft;
- Labour Hire – allowing the FWC to make Same Job Same Pay orders to ensure Labour Hire/Agency workers receive Agreement rates of pay;
- Introducing the right to disconnect, promoting better work/life balance;
- Casual employment changes, including the “pathway to permanency” to help casual employees gain permanent employment;
- More rights and protections for Shop Stewards and Delegates; and
- much more.
These changes positively impacted the Industrial Relations landscape for working Australians.
However, the Leader of the Opposition has already vowed to revoke the ‘right to disconnect’ laws if elected, and the Shadow Treasurer said the Coalition would take a “targeted package of repeals” on these Industrial Relations changes implemented by the Labor Government.
We are lucky to live in a democracy where our members are free to vote for the party of their choice.
We also see it as our responsibility to highlight key workplace issues for members which may be affected by a change of Government.
Finally
It should come as no surprise to long term members that the SDA, as your Union, will always concentrate on the core issues which affect our members. Whether it is wages, occupational superannuation or underpayments, my commitment to our total membership is to continue to work on the real working issues which affect our members’ lives.
Authorised by Justin Power, Shop Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association QLD Branch. 385 Saint Pauls Tce, Fortitude Valley 4006 QLD.