Tammy Tyrrell (Tasmania, Independent) | Hansard source

I think it's fair to say that most people would agree with me when I say: being an adult can be hard. But this government is doing the work to turn it around and make real change that actually helps Australians and Tasmanians. I think it's worthwhile cutting through the noise and pointing out just some of the big things that have recently happened and the key things that come into effect today, now that it's 1 July.

From today, employers under law will have to pay employee superannuation contributions at the same time as their wages rather than quarterly. This is a massive change that will reduce unpaid and delayed super and make retirement savings easier to track. People work hard for their wages but also for their super contributions. I'm really proud to champion Payday Super and how it will help workers be paid the super that they are owed. Superannuation payments owed to workers aren't the company's money. It's just like wages; it belongs to the workers. It's legally theirs. It shouldn't be used to manage cash flow.

I also want to point out another really big win for workers that happened recently which is worth celebrating. With the Labor government's support, the Fair Work Commission ruled to abolish junior pay rates for 18-to-20-year-olds for retail, fast food and pharmacy workers. This was a huge win for young retail workers and the SDA union, who have been advocating for workplace fairness for some time now through their Adult Age = Adult Wage campaign.

On Monday last week I met young people like Brayden and Olivia, two young Tasmanians who played a part in advocating for workplace fairness for young people. And, gee, that gives me hope for our future. We need to keep listening to our young people and keep fighting to fix the system and make it fairer. I believe that the community wins the most when the government actually talks to those impacted by the laws we consider here in Canberra and genuinely listens to their advice. We have to keep listening to the experts, workers, unions, businesses and vulnerable people in the community.

By sitting down, having these conversations and truly listening to these people, I've heard that there is more to be done. I've heard loud and clear how important superannuation is to all workers of all ages. I've heard about how workers under 18 are only guaranteed super if they work more than 30 hours a week for one employer. I've heard how most teenage workers, especially young women working part time, don't get super on their wages because of this rule. I've spoken to some of the 515,000 part-time workers under 18 years of age who are missing out to them. To them I say: I hear you. I understand that women already retire with about 25 per cent less super than men, and that gap can start from their very first job. Sure, some employers do the right thing and pay it anyway—which is great. But fairness shouldn't depend on how generous your boss is.

But, in order to get there, we need to make sure we have the foundations right. That's why we've worked so hard to secure payday super—so that employers can no longer toy with your superannuation. We had to first set the foundations to ensure the majority of workers are protected. Now that we have payday super kicking in today, we've set that foundation, locking in a huge win for workers' retirements. But, just like all good changes, we need to make sure we get it right. We must first help the majority, then plug the gaps and help the rest—just like our part-time workers aged under 18.

Superannuation is one of the best things Australia has ever done. It means ordinary workers can retire with dignity after a lifetime of hard work. But, like any system, it has to keep evolving to stay fair. Again, let's celebrate payday super. But let's also acknowledge that we are the party that believes there is always more to be done. We have to keep pushing not just for better pay and superannuation but also for better working conditions. We need to make sure that when people rock up for work they're treated with respect and dignity, because nobody deserves a serve, no matter their age or job description. Everyone should get the penalty rates and public holiday rates that they deserve, no matter which state they live in. We must keep listening to the workers and the unions that represent them, because, after all, we are the workers' party.

Senate adjourned at 19:49