2017-10-11
Penalty Rates decision shows labour laws broken and parliament must now override cuts: Bandt
Our labour laws are broken if they allow cuts to the wages of low paid workers and Parliament must now step in and back the Greens' move to override cuts to penalty rates, Greens workplace relations spokesperson Adam Bandt MP said today.
Unions have lost their legal bid to overturn the Fair Work Commission's decision to cut penalty rates for hospitality, retail and fast-food workers.
“If a court can give the Fair Work Commission the green light to cut the pay of low paid workers, our labour laws are broken and Parliament must step in," said Mr Bandt.
"The Greens were the first to commit at the last election to protect penalty rates in law and eventually, after the election, Labor came on board. The government now has nowhere to hide.”
“Workers are facing record low wages growth and the Turnbull government’s cuts to penalty rates hits some of the lowest paid workers hard.”
“The Parliament should back the Greens' bill to overturn penalty rates.”
Media contact: Gideon Reisner, 0429 109 054
TW: @AdamBandt FB: facebook.com/Adam.Bandt.MP
Media Release Employment and Workplace Relations