Page 274 - Week 01 - Thursday, 11 February 2016
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The McKell Institute asked Australians who earn Sunday penalty rates what they would cut out if they lost them. They said they would have no discretionary spending, it would be more difficult to go out with friends, they would cancel plans for holidays, they would have no savings for unforeseen events, they would put off significant occasional expenses and have fewer little luxuries such as coffee, they would think twice about their daughter’s dance lessons and they would not take their kids to the movies. There are people who, I understand, are willing to make decisions to cut the little luxuries from other people’s lives. We should always remember that those who propose these cuts do not bear the burden themselves. Those who claim to care about the success of small business in this city should know that the discretionary earnings in one sector flow through to others.
As minister for community services, fair wages and a viable organisation are both crucial to the sustainability of community services in our city. We will continue to support these key priorities. Members may remember that in 2012 the ACT government was one of the first jurisdictions to announce its support for the equal pay case. Our longstanding support goes back to getting behind the claim of the Australian Services Union when the case was before Fair Work Australia, and we are the only government which can make that claim. We did it because we know that all low paid workers deserve a fair go. Whether they are working overnight at a residential youth service or making beds at one of the thriving hotels, workers deserve to be paid for working unsociable hours. In the community sector, closing the pay gap has meant a commitment of $60 million. This year the government is providing around
$3.4 million to keep that progress going.
Any smart small business or business operator in this town, regardless of what kind of industry or sector it is in, will know that cutting the wages of its employees will not lead to the success of its business. Innovation and good client service are the key to making a business successful in this town. We see that every day.
As minister for social inclusion, I am committed to ensuring that the people who work in the coffee shops can afford to visit them on their days off as well, that people who work in hotels can afford to take a yearly holiday and that our aged care workers have money to put away for their own retirement. Not only are penalty rates good for the economy; the social inclusion they support is the most basic expression of a fair and inclusive society.
I am, as always, appalled by the short-sighted rhetoric of those who seek to take money away from the pockets of the lowest paid workers in this community. I will always stand up for those workers. I am proud to be part of a government that will always be part of standing up for those workers. I am also very pleased to hear that the Canberra Liberals have indicated that they would not support any calls for cuts to penalty rates for low paid workers in this town.
Discussion concluded.
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