New figures show the electorate of Isaacs will be hard hit by the Turnbull Governments refusal to stop the Fair Work Commissions cut to penalty rates.
The Hon Mark Dreyfus QC MP
Shadow Attorney General
Shadow Minister for National Security
Federal Member for Isaacs
MEDIA RELEASE
CUT TO PENALTY RATES WILL HURT WORKERS IN ISAACS
New figures show the electorate of Isaacs will be hard hit by the Turnbull Governments refusal to stop the Fair Work Commissions cut to penalty rates.
More than 10,000 people, or one in seven workers in Isaacs work in the retail, food and accommodation industries affected by the cuts.
Many of these workers stand to lose up to $77 per week.
Malcolm Turnbull and his Ministers campaigned for the Fair Work Commission to cut penalty rates.
Under the Turnbull Government, wages in Australia are growing less than ever before. This latest cut to penalty rates is even more bad news for workers in South-East Melbourne and their families.
Retail is the second biggest industry in Isaacs, employing 7,335 workers. Food and hospitality is the eighth biggest industry in Isaacs, employing 3,361 workers.
It is also bad for the economy of South-East Melbourne, as many of these workers will now have less money to spend in local shops, restaurants and other businesses.
Labor is determined to stop this damage being inflicted on our local workers and economy.
Last Monday Labor brought forward a Private Members Bill to prevent the wages of workers relying on the award from being cut. Labors bill would stop the penalty rates cut from taking effect and ensure penalty rates cannot be cut in future if it results in a reduction in workers take-home pay.
Liberal and National Party MPs voted to block the introduction of laws to protect penalty rates, while voting for a $50 billion corporate tax cut for big business.
It is well past time that Mr Turnbull go into bat for local workers instead of his big business mates.
TUESDAY 7 MARCH 2017
