The SDA congratulates SDA member and former SDA SA official, Amanda Rishworth MP on her appointment as the Workplace Relations Minister in the new Federal Government.
Amanda knows firsthand how unions and government policies can have a major impact in your workplace.
In 1999, Amanda was sacked from Toys R Us but was offered her job back if she signed an Individual Workplace Agreement.
These Individual Agreements were an industrial relations policy by the Howard Liberal Government that saw many workers stripped of fair conditions at work.
Amanda didn’t accept this and contacted the SDA for help. The SDA stepped in, stood up for Amanda and won for her.
Amanda’s story is proof of the difference that unions and workers can make when we stand together.
As Workplace Relations Minister, Amanda’s first official act was signing off on the Government’s Annual Wage Review submission, advocating for real wage increases in July.
“A real wage increase would provide further relief to lower-income workers who continue to face cost-of-living pressures.”
Workplace Relations Minister, Amanda Rishworth MP