Daniel Mulino (Fraser, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As we reach the end of the year, Black Friday, Christmas and Boxing Day sales are great for finding a bargain. However, I would like to reflect on the often forgotten people who make our holiday shopping possible. Workers for Amazon are highly casualised and work long hours while their multinational employer reaps billions in profits. Amazon Flex drivers earn under the minimum wage, in many cases, because there are no standards yet in place. In addition, there are so many instances of individuals recounting stressful incidents at work due to inappropriate practices.

Amazon has been resistant to unionisation efforts, but the union movement, particularly the SDA and the TWU, are campaigning for change and have been fighting hard for workers' rights since Amazon opened in Australia. The government passed laws that make it easier for unions to put in applications to put appropriate standards in place. Amazon may lead in technology and innovation, but its approach to worker involvement and worker voice lags. Worker voice is not only fair; it adds to productivity and should be embraced.

This week is Make Amazon Pay week. This is a call for the company to respect the rights of their workers and to engage fairly and transparently, and I back in that call in this chamber.

It was a pleasure to attend this year's federal parliamentary interfaith breakfast with faith leaders from my community. This event is one of the most significant events on the parliamentary calendar, and I appreciate the opportunity to invite leaders from Fraser to parliament.

Faith groups are extremely important in my electorate. They are so often intertwined with multiculturalism, providing a place to celebrate and preserve culture while also being involved with practical community services, supporting members of the community, and, particularly, assisting new arrivals settling in Australia.

I recognise that people of all faiths are facing challenges. Strong interfaith relationships are essential for encouraging constructive dialogue between political, religious and broader leaders within the community and for helping to maintain unity among Australians. I thank representatives from faith groups who made the trek to Canberra: the Venerable Thich Phuoc Tan from the Quang Minh Temple, Fatih and Ayten Yargi from the Australia Light Foundation, Suad Ibisevic from the Australian Bosnian Islamic Centre, Father Lal Zin Thang and Jacob Thang from Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and the Chin community, and Michael Pavleski from Saint Ilija Macedonian Orthodox Church.

Our multicultural and multifaith community is key to Australia's success. I'm grateful to everyone from my community who attended this year's breakfast. More broadly, I'm grateful to all across our community for all that you do—day in, day out—to make our community that much stronger.