Federal Richmond MP Justine Elliot (Labor) said new figures show that the electorate of Richmond will be hard hit by the Fair Work Commission’s cut to penalty rates.
And she has put the blame squarely on the Turnbull federal government.
‘More than 13,000 people, or one in five workers, in Richmond work in the retail, food and accommodation industries affected by the cuts. These workers stand to lose up to $77 per week, Ms Elliot said.
‘Malcolm Turnbull and his Liberal and National Party members campaigned for the Fair Work Commission to cut penalty rates,’ she added.
‘Under the Turnbull Government, wages in Australia are growing less than ever before. This latest pay cut is even more bad news for local workers and their families.
She said retail is the second biggest industry in Richmond, employing 7,274 workers, with food and hospitality the third, employing 6,166 workers.
She added that the cuts to penalty rates would worsen the economy, ‘as these workers will now have less money to spend in local shops, restaurants and other businesses.’
Ms Elliot said Labor was ‘determined to stop this damage being inflicted on our local workers and economy.’
‘On Monday Labor brought forward a Private Member’s Bill to prevent the wages of workers relying on the award from being cut. Labor’s bill would stop the penalty rates cut from taking effect and ensure penalty rates cannot be cut in future if it results in a reduction in workers’ take-home pay.’
Liberal and National Party MPs have voted to block the introduction of the laws to protect penalty rates.
But, Ms Elliot said, ‘With the government holding a one seat majority, a single Liberal or National Party MP crossing the floor to vote with Labor and the crossbenchers, means that we can stop penalty rates being cut.
‘Turnbull’s Liberal National government is seriously out of touch, voting against protecting workers from a $77 per week pay cut, but voting for a $50 billion corporate tax cut for big business,’ she said.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
