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| Labor vows to restore penalty rates and address gender pay gap – politics live | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Posts are going to slow while the conference is on break. | |
| The raid on the NSW Labor office has been confirmed by Labor peeps. They think it has something to do with issues which may have arisen in 2015, but being an Icac investigation, there is nothing concrete at this stage. | |
| The industrial relations chapter concludes with agreement on all motions. | |
| And the conference breaks for lunch | |
| Bill Shorten is still on stage and is yet to address the raid. | |
| Labor’s NSW headquarters has been raided as part of an on-going ICAC investigation. | |
| NSW Labor Party headquarters raided by ICAC https://t.co/f5VexbGRch @9NewsSyd | |
| The Labor leader says enterprise bargaining has failed Australian workers and a new system is needed. | |
| Including no more use of the term “permanent casual” | |
| Bill Shorten says there is a “two class” job system in Australia, with a casual, part time market, unable to assert better pay and conditions, and full timers | |
| He says stagnant wages growth is one of the biggest economic challenges facing Australia. | |
| Bill Shorten says if elected, Labor will restore Sunday and public holiday penalty rates in the first 100 days. | |
| That’s in response to the Fair Work Commission cutting down on Sunday and public holiday rates, after an independent review. | |
| Bill Shorten is about to address the conference again, just as the IR chapter finishes up. | |
| The minister for jobs and industrial relations Kelly O’Dwyer has picked up on the fact the Labor conference is not going to spell out how far its multi-employer bargaining policy will reach, accusing the opposition of “hiding the secret deal they have struck with the union movement”. | The minister for jobs and industrial relations Kelly O’Dwyer has picked up on the fact the Labor conference is not going to spell out how far its multi-employer bargaining policy will reach, accusing the opposition of “hiding the secret deal they have struck with the union movement”. |
| O’Dwyer: | O’Dwyer: |
| “Industry-wide bargaining is a recipe for industrial conflict and chaos not seen since the 1970s, when industrial action was over 40 times higher than today. | “Industry-wide bargaining is a recipe for industrial conflict and chaos not seen since the 1970s, when industrial action was over 40 times higher than today. |
| “Labor knows the impact that industry-wide bargaining will have on the economy, which is why they are refusing to reveal their policy.” | “Labor knows the impact that industry-wide bargaining will have on the economy, which is why they are refusing to reveal their policy.” |
| At the National Press Club last week Labor’s industrial relations spokesman Brendan O’Connor twice refused to commit to release Labor’s entire industrial relations framework before the 2019 election. He said Labor would have “more to say” before the election but it was up to others to judge if it was “sufficiently … chapter and verse”. | At the National Press Club last week Labor’s industrial relations spokesman Brendan O’Connor twice refused to commit to release Labor’s entire industrial relations framework before the 2019 election. He said Labor would have “more to say” before the election but it was up to others to judge if it was “sufficiently … chapter and verse”. |
| The conference notes that the ACT, Queensland and Victorian Labor governments have introduced or committed to industrial manslaughter laws. We congratulate these Labor governments and encourage other state and territory governments to follow their lead. | The conference notes that the ACT, Queensland and Victorian Labor governments have introduced or committed to industrial manslaughter laws. We congratulate these Labor governments and encourage other state and territory governments to follow their lead. |
| Of the other 34 recommendations in the report the following are also particularly important: | Of the other 34 recommendations in the report the following are also particularly important: |
| The development of a policy which stipulates that all industrial deaths must be investigated as potential crime scenes; | The development of a policy which stipulates that all industrial deaths must be investigated as potential crime scenes; |
| The establishment of a dedicated WHS prosecutor in each jurisdiction; and | The establishment of a dedicated WHS prosecutor in each jurisdiction; and |
| The amendment of the model WHS laws to provide for unions, injured workers and their families to bring prosecutions. | The amendment of the model WHS laws to provide for unions, injured workers and their families to bring prosecutions. |
| Conference endorses the recommendations in the report and supports their implementation by a future Shorten Labor government, working through SafeWork Australia, the state and territory governments and with the trade union movement. | Conference endorses the recommendations in the report and supports their implementation by a future Shorten Labor government, working through SafeWork Australia, the state and territory governments and with the trade union movement. |
| All workers in Australia deserve to know that there are consequences to negligent and reckless conduct which may lead – or tragically does lead – to a death. Strong industrial manslaughter laws and penalties which act as a real deterrent are an essential element of providing safer workplaces. | All workers in Australia deserve to know that there are consequences to negligent and reckless conduct which may lead – or tragically does lead – to a death. Strong industrial manslaughter laws and penalties which act as a real deterrent are an essential element of providing safer workplaces. |
| This conference affirms our support for industrial manslaughter laws though amendments of WHS laws and/or the state and territory criminal codes and sets an objective to have industrial manslaughter laws enacted in all states and territories in Australia within the first year of a Shorten Labor government. | This conference affirms our support for industrial manslaughter laws though amendments of WHS laws and/or the state and territory criminal codes and sets an objective to have industrial manslaughter laws enacted in all states and territories in Australia within the first year of a Shorten Labor government. |
| Yesterday there was an emotional and important debate on #asylum - a good debate, which advances a progressive policy framework. I’m proud to have contributed to that, and look forward to campaigning on it with my friend @gedkearney #ALPConf18 pic.twitter.com/cihlCdPtdF | Yesterday there was an emotional and important debate on #asylum - a good debate, which advances a progressive policy framework. I’m proud to have contributed to that, and look forward to campaigning on it with my friend @gedkearney #ALPConf18 pic.twitter.com/cihlCdPtdF |
| I took a moment to dash outside and grab some water and bumped into Pat Conroy. His linen jacket tried to sell me a timeshare. | I took a moment to dash outside and grab some water and bumped into Pat Conroy. His linen jacket tried to sell me a timeshare. |
| There is quite a bit of speculation within Nationals ranks that one of the two women in the National party, Bridget McKenzie, could now be preselected for Mallee, giving her the lower house seat she has had her eye on. | There is quite a bit of speculation within Nationals ranks that one of the two women in the National party, Bridget McKenzie, could now be preselected for Mallee, giving her the lower house seat she has had her eye on. |
| As a senator, McKenzie’s leadership ambitions are slightly stymied. Indi was on the cards for a while, but looked like a risk. Could Mallee be the opportunity she was looking for? | As a senator, McKenzie’s leadership ambitions are slightly stymied. Indi was on the cards for a while, but looked like a risk. Could Mallee be the opportunity she was looking for? |
| There are plenty who think so. | There are plenty who think so. |
| The gender pay amendments are passed on the voices. | The gender pay amendments are passed on the voices. |
| ACTU secretary Sally McManus has argued that Labor, union delegates and party leaders have experience of inequality while the Coalition is blind to poor pay outcomes because they have none. | ACTU secretary Sally McManus has argued that Labor, union delegates and party leaders have experience of inequality while the Coalition is blind to poor pay outcomes because they have none. |
| She said: “It is then little wonder that the Coalition deny there is a problem with the number of insecure jobs. Because how would they know? Do they even have any mates who work for a labour hire company or are in involuntary casual work? Do you think they hang out with anyone on the minimum wage or even on the average wage? For them, the rest of us are just statistics to be distorted, repackaged or ignored ... What about their Uber driver, don’t they ask how much they are now earning an hour? What about the cafes? Do they ever stop and think to themselves, “Why did I take away that person’s penalty rates?” They must not even see us.” | She said: “It is then little wonder that the Coalition deny there is a problem with the number of insecure jobs. Because how would they know? Do they even have any mates who work for a labour hire company or are in involuntary casual work? Do you think they hang out with anyone on the minimum wage or even on the average wage? For them, the rest of us are just statistics to be distorted, repackaged or ignored ... What about their Uber driver, don’t they ask how much they are now earning an hour? What about the cafes? Do they ever stop and think to themselves, “Why did I take away that person’s penalty rates?” They must not even see us.” |
| McManus said that around the world people are “reacting against governments who do nothing because they do not even see us”. Labor and the trade union movement share a commitment to reverse insecure work and ensure that working people share the country’s wealth, she said. | McManus said that around the world people are “reacting against governments who do nothing because they do not even see us”. Labor and the trade union movement share a commitment to reverse insecure work and ensure that working people share the country’s wealth, she said. |
| In an olive branch to employers, McManus said the movement is “ready to reach out hand of cooperation to every good employer who also wants to live in a fair society”. | In an olive branch to employers, McManus said the movement is “ready to reach out hand of cooperation to every good employer who also wants to live in a fair society”. |
| The speech did not hammer Labor for lack of specifics on how to fix bargaining, but did note that workers need to be able to “sit down with whoever holds the purse strings” – in reference to union calls for industry bargaining. | The speech did not hammer Labor for lack of specifics on how to fix bargaining, but did note that workers need to be able to “sit down with whoever holds the purse strings” – in reference to union calls for industry bargaining. |
| McManus paid tribute to Bill Shorten, saying when she met him 24 years ago he “stood out as a leader then and as someone special, someone who had the goods”. | McManus paid tribute to Bill Shorten, saying when she met him 24 years ago he “stood out as a leader then and as someone special, someone who had the goods”. |
| “Like all union officials he intimately understands what it’s like when workers have no power, what its like to lose your job, what stresses are on people when they cannot support their family, insecure work, seeing the boss reward himself while refusing pay rises.” | “Like all union officials he intimately understands what it’s like when workers have no power, what its like to lose your job, what stresses are on people when they cannot support their family, insecure work, seeing the boss reward himself while refusing pay rises.” |
| She concluded: | She concluded: |
| “We are sounding the alarm now. We see the unfairness, we see the fair go being crushed with growing inequality. It is time to listen and to act. And Australian Labor, Bill Shorten, is doing just that. As this chapter outlines, Labor will take action on insecure work. Labor will take action to fix our wages system so working people get their fair share in pay rises. Labor will take action to address the gender pay gap. Because Labor hears working people, understands working people. Labor will act to change the rules to bring back fairness for working people.” | “We are sounding the alarm now. We see the unfairness, we see the fair go being crushed with growing inequality. It is time to listen and to act. And Australian Labor, Bill Shorten, is doing just that. As this chapter outlines, Labor will take action on insecure work. Labor will take action to fix our wages system so working people get their fair share in pay rises. Labor will take action to address the gender pay gap. Because Labor hears working people, understands working people. Labor will act to change the rules to bring back fairness for working people.” |
| Tanya Plibersek is moving the gender pay gap amendment. | Tanya Plibersek is moving the gender pay gap amendment. |
| It was originally this: | It was originally this: |
| Labor will take measurable action to address the gender pay gap and will update parliament each year on Australia’s progress. Labor will require the Fair Work Commission to take into account the principle of pay equity when conducting periodic reviews of modern awards, and will ensure that the equal remuneration provisions in the Fair Work Act deliver for low-paid women. Labor will shine a light on pay inequity, including by requiring companies with more than 1,000 employees to report their gender pay gap, and by prohibiting the use of pay secrecy clauses. Labor will undertake a gender pay gap review across commonwealth public service departments. | Labor will take measurable action to address the gender pay gap and will update parliament each year on Australia’s progress. Labor will require the Fair Work Commission to take into account the principle of pay equity when conducting periodic reviews of modern awards, and will ensure that the equal remuneration provisions in the Fair Work Act deliver for low-paid women. Labor will shine a light on pay inequity, including by requiring companies with more than 1,000 employees to report their gender pay gap, and by prohibiting the use of pay secrecy clauses. Labor will undertake a gender pay gap review across commonwealth public service departments. |
| It has been changed to this: | It has been changed to this: |
| Labor will take measurable action to address the gender pay gap and will update parliament each year on Australia’s progress. | Labor will take measurable action to address the gender pay gap and will update parliament each year on Australia’s progress. |
| Labor will require the Fair Work Commission to take into account the principle of pay equity when conducting periodic reviews of modern awards, and will ensure that the equal remuneration provisions in the Fair Work Act deliver for low paid women, ensure that the equal remuneration provisions in the Fair Work Act deliver for low-paid women. Labor will make gender pay equity an object of the Fair Work Act. Labor will establish a statutory equal remuneration principle, to guide the Fair Work Commission’s consideration of whether feminised industries are paid fairly. Labor will establish a new pay equity panel within the commission led by a new presidential member with specific expertise in gender pay equity, and fund the commission to establish a pay equity unit that will provide expert research support during equal remuneration matters, and more generally. | Labor will require the Fair Work Commission to take into account the principle of pay equity when conducting periodic reviews of modern awards, and will ensure that the equal remuneration provisions in the Fair Work Act deliver for low paid women, ensure that the equal remuneration provisions in the Fair Work Act deliver for low-paid women. Labor will make gender pay equity an object of the Fair Work Act. Labor will establish a statutory equal remuneration principle, to guide the Fair Work Commission’s consideration of whether feminised industries are paid fairly. Labor will establish a new pay equity panel within the commission led by a new presidential member with specific expertise in gender pay equity, and fund the commission to establish a pay equity unit that will provide expert research support during equal remuneration matters, and more generally. |
| Labor will shine a light on pay inequity, including by updating parliament each year on Australia’s progress in closing the gender pay gap, by requiring companies with more than 1,000 employees to report their gender pay gap, and by prohibiting the use of pay secrecy clauses. Labor will undertake a gender pay gap review across commonwealth public service departments. | Labor will shine a light on pay inequity, including by updating parliament each year on Australia’s progress in closing the gender pay gap, by requiring companies with more than 1,000 employees to report their gender pay gap, and by prohibiting the use of pay secrecy clauses. Labor will undertake a gender pay gap review across commonwealth public service departments. |
| Speaking to the Today show, Tanya Plibersek explained why Labor would be addressing the gender pay gap: | Speaking to the Today show, Tanya Plibersek explained why Labor would be addressing the gender pay gap: |
| Well what we’ll do is make it easier for the Fair Work Commission to order pay increases in female-dominated industries. | Well what we’ll do is make it easier for the Fair Work Commission to order pay increases in female-dominated industries. |
| We’ll have a part of the commission that is expert in determining these issues, they’ll be given the resources to do research and investigate where there’s gendered undervaluation of work, and they’ll be able to order increases. | We’ll have a part of the commission that is expert in determining these issues, they’ll be given the resources to do research and investigate where there’s gendered undervaluation of work, and they’ll be able to order increases. |
| The commission will be able to take action based on recommendations from the government, based on applications from these industries or at its own initiative and what we’ve seen in past years – we’ve got laws that make it possible for industries to take these sorts of actions but we’ve only seen one successful case so far and that’s in the area of the social and community sector. | The commission will be able to take action based on recommendations from the government, based on applications from these industries or at its own initiative and what we’ve seen in past years – we’ve got laws that make it possible for industries to take these sorts of actions but we’ve only seen one successful case so far and that’s in the area of the social and community sector. |
| People who work in refuges, who work in drug and alcohol counselling or homelessness services, they got a pay increase – but this year, early childhood educators working in childcare centres were actually knocked back and I think anybody who has ever visited a childcare centre would know that that industry, which is 97% female, they work so hard, the work they do is so skilled, it’s fanciful to think that those women aren’t underpaid. | People who work in refuges, who work in drug and alcohol counselling or homelessness services, they got a pay increase – but this year, early childhood educators working in childcare centres were actually knocked back and I think anybody who has ever visited a childcare centre would know that that industry, which is 97% female, they work so hard, the work they do is so skilled, it’s fanciful to think that those women aren’t underpaid. |