Raff Ciccone (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Recent fuel pressures have highlighted just how essential our service station workers are. When Australians drive up to fill their tanks at the bowser, it is these workers are on the front line, serving customers, managing queues and keeping petrol flowing. Let me be very clear: the fuel spikes are not their fault. These workers are simply doing their jobs under stressful and often challenging conditions. As we know, international tensions and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East are putting pressure on supply chains. Yet it is the frontline workers who face the immediate consequences—frustrated customers and relentless pressure—all while keeping our country moving. Service station staff are vital to our communities, but they are too often overlooked. They deserve safe workplaces, fair conditions and proper support—signs at petrol stations reminding customers to respect staff and to not take fuel prices out on them. It is not the workers at the pumps who should shoulder the blame for global fuel markets.

The toll on frontline workers extends far beyond petrol stations. Millions of Australians in retail and essential services face similar challenges. Last year the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association launched a campaign highlighting the pressures and presented a five-point plan for safe workplaces, sustainable workloads and support for workers.

In its report Under pressure: the hidden cost of retail, the SDA union surveyed more than 11,000 retail workers, and the surveys were deeply concerning. Seventy-seven per cent of workers are at high risk of harm, 72 per cent report experiencing burnout, 58 per cent report very low levels of wellbeing and nearly half intend to leave the industry. With retail employing around 10 per cent of Australia's workforce, these numbers simply cannot be ignored. Despite the essential nature of their work, whether keeping our shelves stocked or serving customers, too many workers are struggling under unsafe conditions, leading to physical and mental exhaustion.

The SDA's ongoing 'No One Deserves A Serve' campaign shines a light on abusive and violent behaviour towards retail and fast-food workers. Abusive behaviour towards staff is unacceptable. Retail and service workers deserve to feel safe and valued, not overworked, undervalued and at risk of harm. So, next time that you are at the petrol pump, please do not blame those workers and do not take your anger out on them. These workers keep our country moving, and it is time that we all make sure that they are supported, protected and respected always. Well done and thank you to the SDA union, who continue to fight for their rights and the wellbeing of millions of Australians every single day.