Cut to penalty rates will hurt 8689 workers in Bass

New figures show Bass will be hard hit by the Turnbull Government’s refusal to stop the Fair Work Commission’s cut to penalty rates.

Mr Hart said ‘more than 8,689 people, or one in six workers, in Bass work in the retail, food and accommodation industries affected by the cuts.

‘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 pay cut is even more bad news for Bass workers and their families.

‘Retail is the second biggest industry in Bass, employing 5,303 workers. Food and hospitality is the fifth biggest industry in Bass, employing 3,386 workers.

‘It is also bad for the Northern Tasmanian economy, as these workers will now have less money to spend in local shops, restaurants and other businesses.

‘That is why Thursday in Question Time I asked the Prime Minister to stand up for the penalty rates of workers and use his power to stop this pay cut.

‘Labor is determined to stop this damage being inflicted on our local workers and economy’ said Mr Hart.

On Monday Labor brought forward a Private Member’s Bill to prevent the wages of workers relying on the award from being cut. Labor’s 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.

With the Government holding a one seat majority, a single Liberal or National Party MP crossing the floor to vote with Labor and the crossbenchers, we can stop penalty rates being cut.

Turnbull’s Liberal-National Government is seriously out of touch, voting against protecting workers from a $77 per week pay cut, but voting for a $50 billion corporate tax cut for big business.
ROSS HART MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BASS