Labor will 'restore penalty rates, close gender pay gap'

Jul 18, 2018
Nine News

Bill Shorten has reaffirmed his vow to restore penalty rates if elected, saying voters could expect action within 100 days of a Labor government.   

During a speech to the Australian Council of Trade Unions Congress last night the Labor leader said, "I do not want, in this country, people trapped on a treadmill of low wages, of uncertain hours."

He instead vowed to "call time on the exploitation of so-called 'permanent casuals'."

"In our first 100 days, we're going to reverse the arbitrary cut to Sunday penalty rates for 700,000 workers," Mr Shorten said in an address to the party faithful in Brisbane.

"And we're going to legislate so penalty rates can never be arbitrarily reduced again.

"We're going to reform the Fair Work Act, so we can put the bargain back into enterprise bargaining.

"There is no such thing, in a future Labor government, as a permanent casual.


"Once you've been in that job for a period of time, you are a permanent worker.

"And in the same vein, we will look at new action to stop the spread of the overuse of fixed-term contracts.

"Not fixed-term contracts for three or four years, fixed-term contracts for our young teachers and staff in white-collar professions and other jobs where, month by month, they get their fixed-term contract rolled over with no rights for the employee."

Labor leader Bill Shorten has vowed a Labor government would restore penalty rates in its first 100 days.   

Today Shadow Employment Minister Brendan O’Connor challenged Malcolm Turnbull to a debate on the issue.

"Why won't the Prime Minister debate why it's ok to cut penalty rates?" he said.

Meanwhile, overnight the Labor leader also vowed to address the gender pay gap, and the pay inequality for female workers.

"When we talk about fair pay, that means equal pay for the women of Australia," Mr Shorten said.

He declared that female oriented occupations should be given the same weight as male dominated industries.

"When I say equal pay, I don't just mean equal pay for doing the same work, I mean equal pay for work of equal value, so feminised occupations get the same deal," Mr Shorten said.

whiteknight wrote on Jul 18^th, 2018 at 6:35pm:



Back to the pre-Cleanevent penalty rates?

whiteknight wrote on Jul 18^th, 2018 at 6:57pm:



Is that the Independent Umpire inspired penalty rates? The ones that were brought down by the Labor appointed Commissioners of the FWC?

You want to emasculate the FWC?

Dnarever wrote on Jul 18^th, 2018 at 7:27pm:



Oh dear. Those tried and true Commissioners appointed under Labor. So steadfast.

Turn to jellybacks under the Coalition?

Do you work for "Conspiracy Theories R Us".

Stuck with them until they turn 65, or Bill can somehow force them out.

But that would be illegal.

lee wrote on Jul 18^th, 2018 at 7:12pm:


It was a mistake trying to establish a new 'Government of National Reconciliation'* by employing equal or so numbers from both 'sides'.... under the skin they are all a protected species over fed by their mates in government and they toe the company line...

In any nation ruled by revolutionary overthrow - they would be the first to the wall... and all along the way asking why...

Hang ten a week until the rest get the message......

*just another Government of Wrecking a Silly Nation.....

Sinn Fein, Brothers and Sisters - take back the asylum.....

the market will sort out penalty rates.

if workers are not available on sundays, employers will pay them more cash.

its simple supply and demand and nothing to do with turnbull.

if he is challenged to a debate, he should just state this and then ask for a meaningful question.

Its time wrote on Jul 19^th, 2018 at 6:56am:



i'm a bit more "long term" in my desire to observe what happens.

in my crystal ball, i see an absolute catastrophe for Bill(after he wins)

and he is a cry baby and very low status.

he will end up like Gough but instead of being a great statesman, he will be a pathetic child curled up in the fetal position.  about 2020 should see my crystal ball vision come to fruition.

lee wrote on Jul 18^th, 2018 at 6:50pm:


And the cut in hourly rate that was increased in exchange for giving up penalty rates. Tell the whole story .