THE HON JOEL FITZGIBBON MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FORESTRY
SHADOW MINISTER FOR RURAL AND REGIONAL AUSTRALIA
SPOKESPERSON FOR COUNTRY CAUCUS
MEMBER FOR HUNTER
PAT CONROY MP
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR CLIMATE CHANGE & ENERGY
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE
MEMBER FOR SHORTLAND
SHARON CLAYDON MP
MEMBER FOR NEWCASTLE
MERYL SWANSON MP
MEMBER FOR PATERSON
UP TO 34,900 HUNTER WORKERS WORSE OFF OVER EASTER AND ANZAC LONG WEEKENDS
As many as 34,900 workers in the Hunter are giving up time with family and friends in order to work over the Easter and Anzac Day period – but because the Liberals and Nationals supported cuts to their wages, workers could receive up to $370 less in their pay packets.
Labor MP Meryl Swanson said the problem under the Liberals and Nationals is that everything in Australia is going up except people’s wages.
“It says everything you need to know about the Liberals and Nationals that they’re cutting workers’ wages but giving millionaires an $11,000 a year tax cut,” the Labor representative said.
“Many local workers have no choice but to go to work over this long weekend in order to put food on the table and pay the bills. They deserve their penalty rates.”
First as Treasurer and now as Prime Minister, Scott Morrison has presided over the lowest wage growth since records began, yet he and the Liberals and Nationals voted eight times in the Parliament to cut workers’ take-home pay.
Labor MP, Pat Conroy said that Liberal Prime Minister Scott Morrison needs to explain why his Liberals and Nationals supported cuts to workers’ wages.
“Scott Morrison and the Liberals and Nationals have been in hiding from local workers. Why do they support these unfair cuts to workers’ wages, while cheering on tax cuts for the top end of town?”
Labor MP, Sharon Claydon said that the current cuts were just the beginning.
“This is just the thin edge of the wedge. At the moment it’s retail, food and accommodation, but unless we change the Government, workers’ pay in other industries will be under serious threat,” Ms Claydon said.
Labor MP, Joel Fitzgibbon said local workers were fed up with Scott Morrison and the Liberals and Nationals.
“Scott Morrison and the Liberals and Nationals are out of touch with workers in the Hunter. Only Labor will protect workers’ penalty rates.”
This election is a choice between Labor’s plan to restore penalty rates or bigger tax loopholes for the top end of town under the Liberals and Nationals.
