Latest news with #AmandaRishworth
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Move to stamp out ‘unfair' pay practice
Pay for workers in female, part time and under-35 dominated industries will be the target of some of the first new laws under the new federal government. On Saturday, Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth announced laws to protect penalty rates and overtime pay for 2.6 million workers would be introduced in the coming weeks. 'If you rely on the modern award safety net and work weekends, public holidays, early mornings or late nights, you deserve to have your wages protected,' Ms Rishworth said. 'We want this law passed as a top priority, so workers are protected from the loopholes that see their take-home pay go backwards.' People covered by award rates are more likely to be women, work part time, be under 35 years of age or employed on casual contracts, Ms Rishworth said. Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth says retail, clerical and banking sector companies have been engaged in the 'unfair' practice. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia The proposed law would add rules to the Fair Work Act, so penalty rates and overtime cannot be rolled up into a single rate of pay where it leaves any individual worker worse off. Speaking in Canberra on Saturday, Ms Rishworth stood alongside retail workers who said their penalty rates were 'really important' in paying for groceries and school fees. Retail worker Daniel said he was paid about $85 in penalty rates each week, equalling $4240 a year. 'I've been in retail for 17 years … That money often pays for vets, dentists, doctors and food. 'Generally, I find living on six to $700 a week is a struggle, whether you've got a partner to rely on or not. 'Penalty rates honestly make a huge difference, and without it, I'd have to work more. See my family less, see my dog less, see my friends less,' he said. 'Just not go to the movies, not ever have a holiday. It's a myriad of things that would affect me.' Ms Rishworth said the new legislation was prompted by 'a number of cases' where penalty rates were being reduced 'in an unfair way'. Retail, clerical and banking sector companies had made moves to trade away penalty rates for lower-paid workers, she said, leaving those staff worse off. 'Enterprise bargaining is the appropriate place to negotiate on entitlements – not eroding the award safety net,' Ms Rishworth said. Labor needs only the support of the Greens in the senate to pass legislation, sidelining the other minor parties and independents who held sway in the previous parliament's upper house. Following the May 3 election, politicians are returning to Canberra with the new parliament kicking off on Tuesday.
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
‘Unfair': Labor reveals penalty rates protection as priority when parliament returns
Pay for workers in female, part time and under-35 dominated industries will be the target of some of the first new laws under the new federal government. On Saturday, Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth announced laws to protect penalty rates and overtime pay for 2.6 million workers would be introduced in the coming weeks. 'If you rely on the modern award safety net and work weekends, public holidays, early mornings or late nights, you deserve to have your wages protected,' Ms Rishworth said. 'We want this law passed as a top priority, so workers are protected from the loopholes that see their take-home pay go backwards.' People covered by award rates are more likely to be women, work part time, be under 35 years of age or employed on casual contracts, Ms Rishworth said. The proposed law would add rules to the Fair Work Act, so penalty rates and overtime cannot be rolled up into a single rate of pay where it leaves any individual worker worse off. Speaking in Canberra on Saturday, Ms Rishworth stood alongside retail workers who said their penalty rates were 'really important' in paying for groceries and school fees. Retail worker Daniel said he was paid about $85 in penalty rates each week, equalling $4240 a year. 'I've been in retail for 17 years … That money often pays for vets, dentists, doctors and food. 'Generally, I find living on six to $700 a week is a struggle, whether you've got a partner to rely on or not. 'Penalty rates honestly make a huge difference, and without it, I'd have to work more. See my family less, see my dog less, see my friends less,' he said. 'Just not go to the movies, not ever have a holiday. It's a myriad of things that would affect me.' Ms Rishworth said the new legislation was prompted by 'a number of cases' where penalty rates were being reduced 'in an unfair way'. Retail, clerical and banking sector companies had made moves to trade away penalty rates for lower-paid workers, she said, leaving those staff worse off. 'Enterprise bargaining is the appropriate place to negotiate on entitlements – not eroding the award safety net,' Ms Rishworth said. Labor needs only the support of the Greens in the senate to pass legislation, sidelining the other minor parties and independents who held sway in the previous parliament's upper house.
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Worker penalty rates to get greater legal protection
Penalty rates for millions of workers will be legally protected under laws set to be introduced when federal parliament resumes. Measures enshrining penalty rates and overtime pay as workplace conditions will be among the first pieces of legislation brought into parliament as part of the Albanese government's second term in office. The laws would ensure penalty rates would not be allowed to form part of a single level of pay where employees would be made worse off. Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth said the measures would allow for critical workplace conditions to be kept. "If you rely on the modern award safety net and work weekends, public holidays, early mornings or late nights, you deserve to have your wages protected," Ms Rishworth said. "We want this law passed as a top priority, so workers are protected from the loopholes that see their take-home pay go backwards." The laws will provide protections for almost 2.6 million workers who are on modern-award wages. The measures came after peak retail and business groups put forward proposals for large companies to opt out of providing penalty rates for staff in exchange for a raise on base levels of pay. Labor had put forward a submission to the Fair Work Commission opposing the changes. Ms Rishworth said women, part-time or casual staff and those under the age of 35 were more likely to be covered by penalty rates. She said workplace agreements should not see pay rates go backwards for staff. "Enterprise bargaining is the appropriate place to negotiate on entitlements, not eroding the award safety net," she said. The penalty rate laws would ensure pay packets would not be reduced when applications are made to the Fair Work Commission when pay rates were being negotiated. Federal parliament will resume on Tuesday for the ceremonial opening, with the first pieces of legislation to be brought forward later in the week. The penalty rate laws will be among the first pieces of legislation introduced to the 48th parliament, along with reductions to HECS debt for students. Penalty rates for millions of workers will be legally protected under laws set to be introduced when federal parliament resumes. Measures enshrining penalty rates and overtime pay as workplace conditions will be among the first pieces of legislation brought into parliament as part of the Albanese government's second term in office. The laws would ensure penalty rates would not be allowed to form part of a single level of pay where employees would be made worse off. Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth said the measures would allow for critical workplace conditions to be kept. "If you rely on the modern award safety net and work weekends, public holidays, early mornings or late nights, you deserve to have your wages protected," Ms Rishworth said. "We want this law passed as a top priority, so workers are protected from the loopholes that see their take-home pay go backwards." The laws will provide protections for almost 2.6 million workers who are on modern-award wages. The measures came after peak retail and business groups put forward proposals for large companies to opt out of providing penalty rates for staff in exchange for a raise on base levels of pay. Labor had put forward a submission to the Fair Work Commission opposing the changes. Ms Rishworth said women, part-time or casual staff and those under the age of 35 were more likely to be covered by penalty rates. She said workplace agreements should not see pay rates go backwards for staff. "Enterprise bargaining is the appropriate place to negotiate on entitlements, not eroding the award safety net," she said. The penalty rate laws would ensure pay packets would not be reduced when applications are made to the Fair Work Commission when pay rates were being negotiated. Federal parliament will resume on Tuesday for the ceremonial opening, with the first pieces of legislation to be brought forward later in the week. The penalty rate laws will be among the first pieces of legislation introduced to the 48th parliament, along with reductions to HECS debt for students. Penalty rates for millions of workers will be legally protected under laws set to be introduced when federal parliament resumes. Measures enshrining penalty rates and overtime pay as workplace conditions will be among the first pieces of legislation brought into parliament as part of the Albanese government's second term in office. The laws would ensure penalty rates would not be allowed to form part of a single level of pay where employees would be made worse off. Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth said the measures would allow for critical workplace conditions to be kept. "If you rely on the modern award safety net and work weekends, public holidays, early mornings or late nights, you deserve to have your wages protected," Ms Rishworth said. "We want this law passed as a top priority, so workers are protected from the loopholes that see their take-home pay go backwards." The laws will provide protections for almost 2.6 million workers who are on modern-award wages. The measures came after peak retail and business groups put forward proposals for large companies to opt out of providing penalty rates for staff in exchange for a raise on base levels of pay. Labor had put forward a submission to the Fair Work Commission opposing the changes. Ms Rishworth said women, part-time or casual staff and those under the age of 35 were more likely to be covered by penalty rates. She said workplace agreements should not see pay rates go backwards for staff. "Enterprise bargaining is the appropriate place to negotiate on entitlements, not eroding the award safety net," she said. The penalty rate laws would ensure pay packets would not be reduced when applications are made to the Fair Work Commission when pay rates were being negotiated. Federal parliament will resume on Tuesday for the ceremonial opening, with the first pieces of legislation to be brought forward later in the week. The penalty rate laws will be among the first pieces of legislation introduced to the 48th parliament, along with reductions to HECS debt for students. Penalty rates for millions of workers will be legally protected under laws set to be introduced when federal parliament resumes. Measures enshrining penalty rates and overtime pay as workplace conditions will be among the first pieces of legislation brought into parliament as part of the Albanese government's second term in office. The laws would ensure penalty rates would not be allowed to form part of a single level of pay where employees would be made worse off. Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth said the measures would allow for critical workplace conditions to be kept. "If you rely on the modern award safety net and work weekends, public holidays, early mornings or late nights, you deserve to have your wages protected," Ms Rishworth said. "We want this law passed as a top priority, so workers are protected from the loopholes that see their take-home pay go backwards." The laws will provide protections for almost 2.6 million workers who are on modern-award wages. The measures came after peak retail and business groups put forward proposals for large companies to opt out of providing penalty rates for staff in exchange for a raise on base levels of pay. Labor had put forward a submission to the Fair Work Commission opposing the changes. Ms Rishworth said women, part-time or casual staff and those under the age of 35 were more likely to be covered by penalty rates. She said workplace agreements should not see pay rates go backwards for staff. "Enterprise bargaining is the appropriate place to negotiate on entitlements, not eroding the award safety net," she said. The penalty rate laws would ensure pay packets would not be reduced when applications are made to the Fair Work Commission when pay rates were being negotiated. Federal parliament will resume on Tuesday for the ceremonial opening, with the first pieces of legislation to be brought forward later in the week. The penalty rate laws will be among the first pieces of legislation introduced to the 48th parliament, along with reductions to HECS debt for students.
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Worker penalty rates to get greater legal protection
Penalty rates for millions of workers will be legally protected under laws set to be introduced when federal parliament resumes. Measures enshrining penalty rates and overtime pay as workplace conditions will be among the first pieces of legislation brought into parliament as part of the Albanese government's second term in office. The laws would ensure penalty rates would not be allowed to form part of a single level of pay where employees would be made worse off. Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth said the measures would allow for critical workplace conditions to be kept. "If you rely on the modern award safety net and work weekends, public holidays, early mornings or late nights, you deserve to have your wages protected," Ms Rishworth said. "We want this law passed as a top priority, so workers are protected from the loopholes that see their take-home pay go backwards." The laws will provide protections for almost 2.6 million workers who are on modern-award wages. The measures came after peak retail and business groups put forward proposals for large companies to opt out of providing penalty rates for staff in exchange for a raise on base levels of pay. Labor had put forward a submission to the Fair Work Commission opposing the changes. Ms Rishworth said women, part-time or casual staff and those under the age of 35 were more likely to be covered by penalty rates. She said workplace agreements should not see pay rates go backwards for staff. "Enterprise bargaining is the appropriate place to negotiate on entitlements, not eroding the award safety net," she said. The penalty rate laws would ensure pay packets would not be reduced when applications are made to the Fair Work Commission when pay rates were being negotiated. Federal parliament will resume on Tuesday for the ceremonial opening, with the first pieces of legislation to be brought forward later in the week. The penalty rate laws will be among the first pieces of legislation introduced to the 48th parliament, along with reductions to HECS debt for students.
Sky News AU
6 days ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
Leading economist tears apart Labor Minister Amanda Rishworth's claim unemployment rose in June due to 'global uncertainty'
Labor's claim that unemployment is up to an almost four year high due to 'global uncertainty' has been torn apart after new figures revealed the joblessness rate rose in June. Fresh data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed the unemployment rate rose 0.2 per cent to 4.3 per cent in June after it hovered near historic lows following the pandemic. Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth told reporters the jump was attributable to international economic trends. 'What we have been focused on is making sure that we are navigating global uncertainty. There is significant global uncertainty across the world and, of course, that has an impact here in Australia,' Ms Rishworth said after the release of the data. 'But I would say that the uptick in unemployment is broadly in line with Treasury's forecasts that were outlined in March.' Deutsche Bank's chief economist Phil O'Donaghue argued there was more to the rise in unemployment during an appearance on Business Now. 'I really think this is a domestic story – this slowdown in the labour market. What has been surprising is how long it's taken to manifest,' Mr O'Donaghue said. 'We know that non-market jobs have been very strong … the economists, myself included, have been waiting to see some slowdown. 'We were surprised by that strength and these numbers very much reflect the tightening in monetary policy domestically. 'My sense is this is very much a domestic story for us.' Sky News' Business Editor Ross Greenwood similarly decried Ms Rishworth's explanation for the unemployment rise. 'That 'global uncertainty' stuff by the way is, of course, bunkum,' Greenwood said. 'Not right at all. Other things are at play here in Australia.' The rise in unemployment has led many to question why the Reserve Bank of Australia held the cash rate in July despite money markets overwhelmingly factoring in a cut. Sally Tindall, the data insights directors at comparison site Canstar, said the latest unemployment data was the 'next piece in the puzzle' for the RBA to cut rates during its upcoming August meeting. 'If inflation continues to trend down, as expected, the RBA will have very little reason to delay its next cash rate cut, especially when so many Australians are still struggling under the weight of their mortgage,' Ms Tindall said in a statement. 'The RBA's mandate is to keep prices stable, but also Australians in jobs, and today's Labour Force figures are an important reminder of this. Inflation is coming down, but the strength of the jobs market is starting to slip. 'If the data continues in this direction, the case for a rate cut will be impossible to ignore.' She said if lenders pass on the 0.25 per cent cut the RBA is poised to deliver in August, a household with a $600,000 loan could see their minimum monthly repayments reduce by $90. A household with a $1m mortgage would see their monthly repayments fall by $150 while a house with a $750,000 loan would pocket $113 per month.
