David Smith (Bean, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Today, we have seen a win for workers. It's a win for workers in retail, fast food and pharmacy; a win for our younger workers; and a win for intergenerational equity. The independent Fair Work Commission has decided to dump junior pay rates for people over 18 in these industries.

As someone whose first job was at my local Big W in Woden, I know firsthand how these decisions greatly improve people's lives. It is a landmark decision for wage justice. Eighteen-year-olds can vote, drive and put their lives on the line for their country. Eighteen-year-olds are adults; they struggle with the same cost-of-living pressures as every other adult. Just because they happen to be 18, it doesn't mean they receive a discount on their rent or on the fuel they buy to get to work. Now they'll be paid the same as other adults. These increases will be phased in in a responsible way. What it will mean over the phasing-in period for 18-year-old casual workers is a gradual increase of $10 per hour.

I joined the SDA on my first day on the job because I knew they would fight for my rights at work, and I want to congratulate them, their members, workplace delegates and officials for their outstanding Adult Age = Adult Wage campaign and this historic win.

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