Award changes rip up workplace conditions ... not Work Choices

"The ALP is currently ripping up workers' hard won conditions, rather than delivering on its promise to rip up Work Choices," said Senator Rachel Siewert today.

"The award modernisation process currently underway will result in fewer minimum standards than existed before Work Choices,  with the most vulnerable workers hit hardest yet again."

"The term 'modernisation' hides the reality of a reduced safety net, AWAs by another name, and the politicisation of our minimum standards of work," said Senator Siewert.

"The 'flexibility clauses' being introduced into all awards will operate like AWAs for low-paid, vulnerable, award-reliant workers. Penalty and overtime rates are able to be bargained away, potentially leaving working families with less take-home pay."

"Awards will now become static instruments, only able to be changed on the direction of the Minister," said Senator Siewert.

"Should we really leave it to Government to look out for the interests of employees and ensure standards of work change with community standards? Can we trust future governments to have the best interests of workers at heart?"

The award system, while not perfect, provided a comprehensive safety net of wages and conditions which for a century underpinned the relative equity of Australian society and the rights of workers.

"Now, we have an ALP Government accepting in large part the fundamental ideological shift made by the Howard Government to reduce award conditions," she concluded.

For further information or comment, please contact Chris Twomey on
0419 914 424
Senator.siewert@aph.gov.au