Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today, I have a very clear and simple message: enough is enough. It's time for fairness, respect and dignity in the workplace, and that means equal pay for all adults, starting at the age of 18. The SDA's campaign for equal pay for 18- to 20-year-olds is underway. They deserve the same recognition and they deserve the same value for their capacity as young people working in retail, in fast food and in pharmacies. There are thousands of hardworking young Australians, 18 to 20, working those areas of retail, fast food and pharmacy, and they are denied a full adult wage, despite performing the same work as their older colleagues. These aren't kids; these are adults. They pay their rent. They have bills. They have university fees and contribute to their families and their communities, yet, for too long, they have been paid less simply because of their age. That's not the Australian way. At 18, you can vote and you can buy alcohol. If you're working at 18 to 20, you should then be paid the same wage. Adult age equals adult wage. So I congratulate the SDA for running this campaign, because I think it will be beneficial not only for those young people but for our community.

I want to do a big shout-out to Lachlan Bovill. I've spoken about him before. He's a young man from Legana in Northern Tasmania who won the Victorian-Tasmanian best Woolworths check-out operator. He's just won the national award, so a big shout-out to Lachie. It's fantastic. He's a great role model. He loves the work that he does. He's highly respected by his community and visitors alike for his fresh and friendly personality and for his knowledge of his local area, which he promotes at every opportunity. Congratulations, Lachie. Well done. He's also a member of the SDA.