Palaszczuk Government calls on Canberra to stop pay cuts for Queenslanders

Published Thursday, 23 February, 2017 at 12:20 PM

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, Minister for Racing and Minister for Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Grace Grace

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is calling on the Turnbull Government to intervene after a Commonwealth Fair Work Commission decision to cut Sunday penalty rates and take-home pay for thousands of Queenslanders.

The Premier said the Commonwealth must intervene, following today’s decision which leaves thousands of Queensland workers facing savage pay cuts of up to $6,000 a year.

“This is a decision made by the Federal umpire applying Commonwealth rules,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Every day I talk to Queenslanders across this state who rely on penalty rates to make ends meet.

“Those rates are reward for the sacrifice they make in giving up time with family and friends on weekends and other special occasions.

“This decision is devastating for thousands of hardworking Queenslanders.

“In September I wrote to the Fair Work Commissioner to express my concerns about the potential impact of exactly the kind of decision we have seen today.

“Penalty rates aren’t new and it’s worrying to see this important part of the social safety net being cut.

“Clearly the Turnbull Government needs to intervene and put an end these cuts to the take-home pay of Queensland workers.”

Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said Queensland had made a detailed submission to the Productivity Commission outlining its position on penalty rates.

“The message we sent loud and clear to the Productivity Commission was that there should be no cuts to penalty rates,” she said.

“Today’s decision will take money out of the real economy, reducing the spending power of thousands of Queensland families.

“This will have negative impact on local economies, especially in our regions.”

Media Contact: Martin Philip 0427 919 548