Matt Smith (Leichhardt, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. What action is the Albanese Labor government taking to protect penalty rates and overtime rates for workers? Why is this an urgent priority for the government?

Amanda Rishworth (Kingston, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would like to thank the member for Leichhardt for his question and, of course, for the work he did in protecting workers rights before he came to this place but also the work he continues to do right here in this parliament. The Albanese government has delivered landmark workplace relations reforms, with a clear goal to get wages moves again. We fought hard to deliver them because working Australians deserve decent pay and secure jobs. Our laws are working to deliver real wage increases. We are now seeing the strongest rate of annual wages growth in five years. Our work to protect the pay packets of Australians is continuing. We are delivering on our clear election commitment to protect penalty and overtime rates in modern awards.

I'm pleased to advise the House that legislation passed this House earlier today to safeguard fundamental entitlements of around 2.6 million modern-award reliant workers—because these workers deserve laws that ensure their pay does not go backwards. Penalty rates and overtime are a longstanding feature and a vital part of the modern award safety net, which supports our lowest paid workers. Workers who rely on penalty rates are more likely to be women, work part time, be under the age of 35 and be employed on a casual basis. They are people like Erin, who works in a grocery store South Australia. She said: 'Earning penalty rates makes it worthwhile, while being away from family and not taking a day to able to rest and recover. It's extra money earnt for choosing to work rather than enjoy a day off.'

And there's Cooper on the Gold Coast. He said: 'Penalty rates aren't a bonus; they're an essential part of a modern worker's wage. That income comes at a personal cost: time lost with friends, missed milestones with family and social life sacrificed.' The action we have taken is clear and decisive. It is about protecting workers like Erin and Cooper's penalty rates and overtime rates.

I've been asked why this legislation is urgent. There are currently cases on foot where employers in retail, clerical and banking sectors are proposing to trade away penalty rates, leaving some of our lowest-paid workers worse off. That is why our clear commitment is to protect penalty rates and overtime rates, and it is an urgent priority. The passage of our legislation through the House today clearly demonstrates our government is getting on with the job, delivering on our commitments to protect penalty and overtime rates.