Latest news with #Amanda Rishworth
News.com.au
a day ago
- Business
- News.com.au
‘Dog's breakfast': Karl Stefanovic slams US beef deal, David Pocock backs inquiry calls
A trade deal to accept US beef into Australia has been labelled a dog's breakfast by Karl Stefanovic after the Trade Minister's apparent gaffe claiming Donald Trump personally lobbied for the deal. Trade Minister Don Farrell on Sunday said the US President raised the issue directly with Anthony Albanese in one of the three phone conversations the leaders shared. The Prime Minister said that was incorrect, and on Tuesday Stefanovic put criticism of the beef deal to Labor frontbencher Amanda Rishworth. 'I think he has clarified his comments,' Ms Rishworth said of Senator Farrell. 'We've discussed it on this show, that Donald Trump made public his issues around beef imports and exports. That was not a secret. 'I think this is making a mountain out of a molehill. Quite frankly, just silly politics on the side. 'What's important here is putting forward our best foot forward, for the national interest, to be prosecuting our case with the US, and that's what our government will keep doing.' Stefanovic suggested the US beef deal had become a shambles and asked senator David Pocock what needed to happen. 'David, do you think there should be an inquiry? I mean, it's starting to look more and more like a dog's breakfast,' Stefanovic said. 'I think there's real questions to answer around the timing of this,' the senator replied. 'And on the bigger issue, who's going to buy American beef? We have some of the best beef in the world here in Australia. I certainly won't be buying US beef. 'I think a lot of Australians will see it on the shelf, if it even gets here, and say 'well, I'm going to support Australia'.' The Coalition has already called for an inquiry into the beef deal, arguing the government has put biosecurity at risk as a bargaining chip for a US tariff exemption. The Coalition wants a Senate inquiry into the government backflip, citing the timing of the decision amid stalled tariff negotiations. Labor has rejected claims of the link to ongoing tariff discussions, saying the decision follows a lengthy review undertaken by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, which found new tracing protocols eliminated risks posed by beef sourced from Canada and Mexico but slaughtered in the US. However, Nationals Leader David Littleproud said an inquiry was required to give 'assurance' that 'Labor isn't sacrificing our high biosecurity standards'. As of Monday, July 28, Australian businesses were able to apply for import licences to get US fresh beef and beef products. Mr Littleproud has accused Agriculture Minister Julie Collins of ignoring advice regarding oversight by independent scientific experts. 'Minister Collins needs to explain why the advice of the Inspector-General of Biosecurity wasn't considered and why it has fallen on deaf ears when it comes to such an important decision,' Mr Littleproud said in a statement released Tuesday morning. 'Is Labor willing to undermine Australia's high biosecurity, just so Prime Minister Anthony Albanese can obtain a meeting with US President Donald Trump?' In question time on Monday, Mr Littleproud asked Ms Collins if the Inspector-General's recommendations had been implemented. Risk-based assessments were done by department staff on a scientific basis, she said. 'We have not compromised on biosecurity at all in any way, shape or form, and the member opposite would know, of course, we've had to put around $2bn additional into biosecurity since we came to office because of the way they left our biosecurity system,' Ms Collins said. 'The other thing I would say to the member opposite is he would be aware that this decision has been coming for some time. 'The US and Australia traceability systems are equivalent and that the decision has been taken, based on science, around the US system and the Australian traceability system, and all food imported into Australia must be safe and compliant with our food standards. 'This has been done on a scientific basis.'
Daily Telegraph
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Telegraph
Stefanovic slams US beef deal, senator David Pocock backs call for inquiry
Don't miss out on the headlines from Breaking News. Followed categories will be added to My News. A trade deal to accept US beef into Australia has been labelled a dog's breakfast by Karl Stefanovic after the Trade Minister's apparent gaffe claiming Donald Trump personally lobbied for the deal. Trade Minister Don Farrell on Sunday said the US President raised the issue directly with Anthony Albanese in one of the three phone conversations the leaders shared. The Prime Minister said that was incorrect, and on Tuesday Stefanovic put criticism of the beef deal to Labor frontbencher Amanda Rishworth. Senator Don Farrell admitted to making a mistake when he said Donald Trump had raised the issue of beef with Anthony Albanese. Picture: Jason Edwards / NewsWire 'I think he has clarified his comments,' Ms Rishworth said of Senator Farrell. 'We've discussed it on this show, that Donald Trump made public his issues around beef imports and exports. That was not a secret. 'I think this is making a mountain out of a molehill. Quite frankly, just silly politics on the side. 'What's important here is putting forward our best foot forward, for the national interest, to be prosecuting our case with the US, and that's what our government will keep doing.' Stefanovic suggested the US beef deal had become a shambles and asked senator David Pocock what needed to happen. Amanda Rishworth defended her colleague, Trade Minister Don Farrell. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman 'David, do you think there should be an inquiry? I mean, it's starting to look more and more like a dog's breakfast,' Stefanovic said. 'I think there's real questions to answer around the timing of this,' the senator replied. 'And on the bigger issue, who's going to buy American beef? We have some of the best beef in the world here in Australia. I certainly won't be buying US beef. 'I think a lot of Australians will see it on the shelf, if it even gets here, and say 'well, I'm going to support Australia'.' A trade deal to accept US beef into Australia has been labelled a dog's breakfast by Karl Stefanovic after the Trade Minister'sapparent gaffe claiming Donald Trump personally lobbied for the deal. Picture: Nine The Coalition has already called for an inquiry into the beef deal, arguing the government has put biosecurity at risk as a bargaining chip for a US tariff exemption. The Coalition wants a Senate inquiry into the government backflip, citing the timing of the decision amid stalled tariff negotiations. Labor has rejected claims of the link to ongoing tariff discussions, saying the decision follows a lengthy review undertaken by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, which found new tracing protocols eliminated risks posed by beef sourced from Canada and Mexico but slaughtered in the US. Agriculture Minister Julie Collins says Australia's biosecurity has not been compromised. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman However, Nationals Leader David Littleproud said an inquiry was required to give 'assurance' that 'Labor isn't sacrificing our high biosecurity standards'. As of Monday, July 28, Australian businesses were able to apply for import licences to get US fresh beef and beef products. Mr Littleproud has accused Agriculture Minister Julie Collins of ignoring advice regarding oversight by independent scientific experts. 'Minister Collins needs to explain why the advice of the Inspector-General of Biosecurity wasn't considered and why it has fallen on deaf ears when it comes to such an important decision,' Mr Littleproud said in a statement released Tuesday morning. 'Is Labor willing to undermine Australia's high biosecurity, just so Prime Minister Anthony Albanese can obtain a meeting with US President Donald Trump?' In question time on Monday, Mr Littleproud asked Ms Collins if the Inspector-General's recommendations had been implemented. Risk-based assessments were done by department staff on a scientific basis, she said. 'We have not compromised on biosecurity at all in any way, shape or form, and the member opposite would know, of course, we've had to put around $2bn additional into biosecurity since we came to office because of the way they left our biosecurity system,' Ms Collins said. 'The other thing I would say to the member opposite is he would be aware that this decision has been coming for some time. 'The US and Australia traceability systems are equivalent and that the decision has been taken, based on science, around the US system and the Australian traceability system, and all food imported into Australia must be safe and compliant with our food standards. 'This has been done on a scientific basis.' Originally published as 'Dog's breakfast': Karl Stefanovic slams US beef deal, David Pocock backs inquiry calls
Daily Mail
19-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
New laws set to protect penalty rates and overtime pay for millions of Aussie workers
Australian workers who rely on award wages would have their rights to penalty rates and overtime pay protected under one of the new federal parliament's first bills. The legislation would prohibit award-earning employees from accepting penalty rate reductions in exchange for a higher base rate of pay if it would leave them worse off. New employment minister Amanda Rishworth earmarked the bill in Canberra on Saturday as the first off the rank for the returning Labor government. If passed, it will amend the Fair Work Act to provide stronger protections for the roughly 2.6million people whose pay is set by an award. An award is a legally mandated minimum rate of pay for workers within certain industries or occupations. People covered by awards are more likely to work on a part-time or casual basis and be women or under 35 years of age. In justifying the legislation, Rishworth said there were cases before the Fair Work Commission she feared could reduce worker's overall pay. 'What's become clear is there is a number of cases on foot which are trying to roll in penalty rates or reduce penalty rates in an unfair way,' she said. 'And so, what's become clear is that we need added legal protection to make sure penalty rates and overtime are protected in our award system.' She appeared alongside retail workers who said penalty rates were a crucial component of their overall pay packages. Retail worker Liarne said she earned about $6.35 an hour in penalty rates, about $7,500 over the course of a year. 'That's really important because it helps me pay for rent, groceries, school fees and the care of my animals, which I love dearly,' she said. 'Penalty rates are really important.' Another retail worker, Daniel, said his penalty rate earnings - about $85 per week - allowed him to foot the bill for necessities and lifestyle expenses. 'Generally, I find living on six to $700 a week is a struggle, whether you've got a partner to rely on or not,' he said. 'Penalty rates honestly makes a huge difference, and without it, I'd have to work more. See my family less, see my dog less, see my friends less. 'Just not go to the movies, not ever have a holiday. It's a myriad of things that would affect me.' Rishworth said employers in the retail, clerical and banking sectors had applied to the Fair Work Commission to 'trade away' penalty rates of lower-paid workers. The announcement could add to the grievances likely to be aired by business groups at the productivity summit to be hosted at Parliament House in August. Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox told the A ustralian Financial Review there was a 'dark irony' in Labor's attempts to fast-track the bill at a time when productivity talks loomed. Despite ongoing efforts to negotiate with the government over the proposed reforms, Mr Willox said there was 'obvious concern that it could further reduce workplace flexibility, especially at a time when we are already seeing rising national unemployment and the private sector clearly in job-shedding mode'. Labor will only need support from the Greens to secure a majority for the bill which it expects to sail through parliament soon after it resumes on Tuesday.
The Guardian
19-07-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Labor moves to bolster penalty rates and overtime pay protections for millions of workers
Workers who rely on award wages would have their rights to penalty rates and overtime pay protected under one of the first pieces of legislation to be introduced to the new federal parliament. The changes to the Fair Work Act would effectively ensure workers paid under awards cannot have their penalty rates reduced in return for a higher rate of base pay if it leaves workers worse off. The legislation, which the government expects to pass, would provide protections for the approximately 2.6 million people whose pay is set by an award. The employment minister, Amanda Rishworth, on Saturday said the government was responding to cases before the Fair Work Commission that could result in cuts to people's take-home pay. 'What's become clear is that we need added legal protection to make sure penalty rates and overtime are protected in our award system,' she said. 'We want to make it clear in law that these penalty rates and overtime rates should be protected because we don't want people earning less and working harder.' Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email Peak retail and business groups had applied to the industrial umpire to allow some companies to opt out of providing penalty rates for staff in exchange for a raise on base levels of pay. In response, Labor put forward a submission to the Fair Work Commission opposing the employer groups' proposed changes. As she addressed the media in Canberra to formally announce the reforms, Rishworth was joined by retail workers Daniel and Liarne, who spoke of the 'huge difference' penalty rates made to their ability to live comfortably. 'My penalty rates are about $6.35 an hour, which is about $7,500 a year,' Liarne said. 'That's really important because it helps me pay for rent, groceries, school fees and the care of my animals, which I love dearly.' Rishworth said women, part-time or casual staff and those under the age of 35 were more likely to be covered by penalty rates. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion The Albanese government had promised to enshrine penalty rates in law if re-elected, building on the sweeping industrial relations reforms it enacted during its first term despite fierce opposition from employer groups. The new measures set the stage for further disagreements between the government, unions and the business lobby before next month's productivity summit at Parliament House. Convened by the treasurer, Jim Chalmers, the government's 'roundtable' will also consider tax reform and ways to lift living standards. The treasurer has said that the 19-21 August talks would be organised around themes of resilience, productivity and sustainability. Federal parliament will resume on Tuesday for the ceremonial opening, with the first pieces of legislation – including the penalty rate protections and reductions to Hecs debt – to be introduced later in the week.
