Linda White (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Senator Watt. Is the minister aware that, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2.6 million Australians are employed on a casual basis and over 270,000 of these workers have had regular work patterns for more than two years and are often referred to as 'permanent casuals'? These workers are working in permanent capacities without the job security or benefits that come with a permanent position in law and they lack leave entitlements and could be dismissed without notice. Does the minister believe this would be what most Australians would expect to be the definition of 'casual work'? What is the Albanese government doing to stand up for Australia's 2.6 million casual workers and provide them with the choice to obtain secure work? What is being done to close casual employment loopholes left by the Liberals and Nationals?

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator White, for that very thorough and detailed question. I know that you, along with pretty much everyone on this side of the chamber, have a very long history of standing up for the rights of workers, including casual workers.

Currently, the definition of a 'casual' within the Fair Work Act is based only on the original offer of employment and does not take into account any subsequent conduct of the parties. Unfortunately, this means that some employers are exploiting this loophole, treating employees as casuals even if they work regular and predictable hours. I've certainly met many such workers. Whether it be in the coalmining industry in Queensland or in many other industries across the country, there are thousands and thousands of casual workers who have been stuck in casual employment arrangements for too long. It would appear that some opposition senators seem quite content for that system to remain in place. Those casual workers are being used as though they were permanent workers, without the security of permanent employment, just because of what is written in their employment contracts.

This is the legacy of the former coalition government—the party of low wages and the party of insecure work. In 2021 the coalition introduced legislation to legitimise a blatantly unfair definition of casual employment. Then, extraordinarily, they voted down the other provisions of their own bill. The minister at the time—I wonder who that might have been? Oh, that's right; it was Senator Cash—and the coalition government voted against criminalising wage theft and the better off overall test because they were so focused on taking rights away from casuals. That's Senator Cash's record as the IR minister. That's the record of the coalition government at the time. What was left was an unfair and unreasonable definition that has now been in effect for two years. If the contract said you were working as a casual, that was the end of the story. The Albanese government's workplace relations reform agenda will introduce a new, fair definition of casual employment that will benefit all. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator White, a first supplementary?

Linda White (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

Is the minister also aware that more than 40 per cent of casual workers are over the age of 35 and that many of these workers tell stories of not being able to go on holidays or take time off when they are unwell because they simply can't afford it? Given that many Australians are working multiple jobs because none of their individual jobs give them enough hours to cover their expenses, how do the government's casual worker reforms contribute to its commitment to improve job security in Australia?

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you again, Senator White. As you would recall, it used to be that those who were in insecure jobs tended to be students or people looking for some short-term work. Now, all too often, it's people trying to support a family or run a household. Now, too many Australians are stuck in insecure work, particularly those workers who have been stuck in casual employment arrangements for too long. The latest figures show that there are approximately 851,000 casual employees with regular working arrangements, but these workers do not receive paid leave entitlements. They may struggle to make financial plans for the future. They are more likely to expect to lose their job for involuntary reasons. They are more likely to be underemployed, and they are more likely to be female. There are legitimate uses for genuine casual employment, but indefinite casual employment should never be used as a loophole to undercut worker pay and conditions. The Albanese government will close this loophole, and we hope the whole chamber will join us in doing so.

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator White, a second supplementary?

Linda White (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

Women represent almost 50 per cent of Australia's workforce, and the majority of workers who have been casual for more than two years are women. How does the government's workplace relations agenda further contribute to its commitment to improve gender equality?

Nita Green (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

Great question!

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) | Link to this | Hansard source

It is a great question, because the latest figures show that women are overrepresented in casual employment in Australia. That is the legacy of 10 years of coalition government. Women make up 53 per cent of the 851,000 casual employees with regular working arrangements; 56 per cent of the 278,000 casual employees with long-term regular working arrangements; 55 per cent of the 753,200 casual employees who have been employed for more than two years; and 57 per cent of the 457,500 casual employees who were underemployed in August 2022. Again, that is the legacy of 10 years of coalition government—women being disproportionately overrepresented in casual employment. The latest data shows that the average weekly earnings for casual employees are approximately half that of permanent employees, on average a difference of $846. We're fixing this loophole. (Time expired)