Brendan O'Connor (Gorton, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question I would like to put to this place is: why is the government continuing its ideological and confrontational approach in dealing with its own workforce? Why, for example, has the employment minister continued her predecessor's approach by seeking cuts to income of up to $8,000 from national security staff at Border Force? This disrespectful and unfair assault on the conditions of employment of those who do good work in often trying circumstances underlines exactly the attitude of the Turnbull government—indeed not just for their own workforce but for all Australian workers. I saw the good work of national security staff firsthand as a former minister.

This failure of leadership has led to rare industrial action by national security staff who of course are asking for nothing more than to be treated fairly at work and to get a decent income. Labor calls upon the employment minister to meet with the CPSU and workplace delegates with a view to resolving this protracted dispute and restoring some respect and appreciation for those workers who serve our nation well. There is no doubt that this approach is unfair to those workers and it is a slap in the face for all workers in this nation.