Jack Mundey backs Lee Rhiannon’s Senate bid
Greens Senate Candidate for NSW Lee Rhiannon today outlined the key industrial relations campaigns she would pursue if she was elected to the Federal Senate next Saturday (details below). Former union leader and Green Bans campaigner Jack Mundey took the opportunity to back Ms Rhiannon’s bid for the Senate.
“Australia is a prosperous country and there is no excuse for a second rate industrial relations system,” Ms Rhiannon said.
“Workers rights were eroded under the Howard government and some remnants remain. It’s time to bury them.
“A first rate industrial relations framework, like a good health and education system, is critical to maintaining a decent standard of living for all Australians.
“The Greens will not allow the federal industrial relations harmonization process, kicked off when Julia Gillard was Minister for Industrial Relations, to weaken NSW workplace safety conditions.
Key components of the Greens NSW industrial relations plan are:
- Reinstating rights lost as a result of Howard’s Fair Work Act, including: proper right of entry provisions for unions to workplaces and restoring the 21 day period workers have to claim unfair dismissal.
- Abolishing the Australian Building & Construction Commission.
- Protecting NSW Occupational Health & Safety Laws from downgrading as a result of the national harmonization process.
- Preventing Gillard’s award simplification stripping away rights
- Strengthening the capacity for collective action by unions.
Jack Mundey, Green Bans’ campaigner and Greens NSW member said,
“Over the last decade I have watched Lee work hard to protect workers’ rights.
“Lee’s successful campaigns to build tougher industrial manslaughter laws, preserve workers’ compensation entitlements and promote green jobs are right on the money.
“NSW workers would gain a strong advocate if Lee was elected to the Senate,” Mr Mundey said.
Contact: Lee Rhiannon: 0427 861 568
Read more about the Greens NSW Industrial Relations Plan here