Lambie opposes penalty rate cut

TASMANIAN i ndependent senator Jacqui Lambie says she does not support penalty rate changes, as more local businesses join the list of those boycotting the official wage ruling.

The Fair Work Commission last week decided to cut penalty rates on Sundays and public holidays for those in hospitality, fast food and retail.

Business groups say the cut will help more shops, restaurants and pubs open on a Sunday and lead to jobs growth. But not all are convinced. Burnie’s Beach Hotel and Cafe 176 in Hobart have joined the list of those who will keep paying their staff current rates despite the official ruling.

As Opposition Leader Bill Shorten discovered he would have to wait at least three weeks before he could introduce legislation to protect penalty rates, Senator Lambie came out against the changes

“Apart from the fact that the proposed decrease in Sunday penalty rates will hit Tasmanian battlers the hardest, that extra money made through penalty rates very quickly finds it way back into the local economy and small business community,” she said.

“So there is no way I will support penalty cuts for Sunday work. To add insult to injury for working families this proposal to take money away from battlers comes when the Turnbull Government continues to push plans which will give the most powerful and wealthy companies in Australia a $50 billion tax cut.

“We have also discovered that 600 of the top 1500 Australian companies do not pay any tax at all.

“I believe in a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work and the current industrial relations system rules have enough flexibility to ensure business profitability and job security while paying workers fairly.”