Published Friday, 15 June, 2007 at 09:49 AM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
HOCKEY SHOULD STAND UP FOR CHILD LABOUR RIGHTS
Queensland Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel is appalled the Federal Government is not supporting recent amendments to the States Child Employment Act 2006.
“I recently received a letter from Joe Hockey attacking the measures we have taken to protect the working conditions of Queensland children.
“The Queensland laws are designed to stop exploitation of children and allow them access to the independent umpire so they can have their case heard if unfairly dismissed.
“Hockey should stand up for child labour rights not under mine them, he has already admitted that Kevin Andrews got it wrong by not including in Workchoices a proper test to ensure that Australian Workplace Agreements were fair,” Mr Mickel said.
The Queensland laws put in place a real no-disadvantage test to stop exploitation of Queensland children or anyone under 18.
“Unlike the Federal sham fairness test, our laws allow children who have been exploited by unfair Australian Workplace Agreements to take action to recover their lost entitlements.
“This is a stark contrast to Hockey’s effort to clean up Kevin Andrews mess, their system does nothing to protect workers who have been ripped off by unfair Australian Workplace Agreements.
“We said we would stand up for child labour laws and we have.”
Media contact: Chris Brown (07) 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion (07) 3224 6784
June 15, 2007
“I recently received a letter from Joe Hockey attacking the measures we have taken to protect the working conditions of Queensland children.
“The Queensland laws are designed to stop exploitation of children and allow them access to the independent umpire so they can have their case heard if unfairly dismissed.
“Hockey should stand up for child labour rights not under mine them, he has already admitted that Kevin Andrews got it wrong by not including in Workchoices a proper test to ensure that Australian Workplace Agreements were fair,” Mr Mickel said.
The Queensland laws put in place a real no-disadvantage test to stop exploitation of Queensland children or anyone under 18.
“Unlike the Federal sham fairness test, our laws allow children who have been exploited by unfair Australian Workplace Agreements to take action to recover their lost entitlements.
“This is a stark contrast to Hockey’s effort to clean up Kevin Andrews mess, their system does nothing to protect workers who have been ripped off by unfair Australian Workplace Agreements.
“We said we would stand up for child labour laws and we have.”
Media contact: Chris Brown (07) 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion (07) 3224 6784
June 15, 2007