Marielle Smith (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Australia's aviation industry connects Australian travellers to the world. It supports jobs, trade, tourism and opportunity. When aviation works well, our whole country benefits. But for too long, workers in our aviation industry have been let down. The industry has faced crisis after crisis: global health emergencies, volcanic eruptions and other climate based disruptions, conflicts, and crises. And too often when these things happen, it is workers who get let down and left behind.

Aviation workers are the backbone of this sector, and for many they strive tirelessly year after year to take their place to find a job in the sector because they're passionate about it and they're passionate about the opportunities it should bring. These workers deserve more; they deserve better, fairer and safer conditions. That is exactly what the Transport Workers Union is fighting for.

I was proud to stand with the TWU during the pandemic, side by side with workers at Adelaide airport, as we called for more support. I am proud to stand with them now as they call for a sustainable long-term solution for the troubles within Australia's aviation sector. The TWU's proposal for a safe and secure skies commission is about accountability and it's about transparency. It's about lifting standards, improving safety and rebuilding a sustainable aviation sector.

The Safe and Secure Skies campaign calls on airports to do better, uphold workers safety, guarantee fair pay, improve worker facilities and properly engage on work health and safety. It calls on airlines to guarantee fair pay and decent working conditions, to support an independent tribunal and to ensure that same job, same pay applies. If we want a strong aviation sector then we must invest in the people who make it possible. And in this effort, I am proud to stand with the Transport Workers Union and their members in aviation.