VIC opposition blocks fair IR laws

Date: 15 November 2000

The Victorian opposition is determined to block The Fair Employment Bill which aims to restore fairness for the state's 240,000 workers stuck on low pay.

The Victorian Liberal party's attempt to delay debate on the Fair Employment Bill is an outrageous slap in the face to thousands of low paid Victorians, says the Victorian Trades Hall Council.

"The Liberals are grasping at straws for any reason to delay this Bill," said Leigh Hubbard, Victorian Trades Hall Council Secretary.

Responding to the Liberal attempt to delay debate, which was defeated in the lower house of the Victorian Parliament, Mr Hubbard said:
"The Liberals have lied about the implications of this Bill. VECCI is the only employer voice against the Bill. Their wild estimate of 22,000 job losses has been plucked from thin air. They cannot explain how they arrived at that figure."

"The Opposition refuses to help the tens of thousands of people who are stuck with very minimal wages and conditions under Schedule 1A of the Federal Workplace Relations Act. Remember, that there are only 250,000 workers under Schedule 1A compared to 1.1 million under federal awards and/or agreements which provide decent conditions. The Liberal's determination to protect this small enclave of exploitation is outrageous."

"The Liberals are distorting the contents of the Bill. Victoria is just seeking to establish what other states already have - this is a catching up process."
"The need for more consultation is also a mischievous stalling tactic - the Industrial Relations Taskforce which made recommendations contained in the Bill, consulted widely and employers were part of that process."

The suggestion that unions will have right of entry to any business at any time against the will of workers is scare-mongering nonsense. The provisions in this Bill mirror the restricted right of entry rule in Peter Reith's own federal legislation.The Victorian Government has to acknowledge international conventions on right of entry in its laws. This legislation is not a threat to business- around two thirds of employers are already doing the right thing and paying federal award rates or adhering to agreements. In fact many tens of thousands of employers want a level playing field - they are part of the silent majority."

"In attempting to delay this Bill, the Liberals have displayed a complete lack of compassion," said Leigh Hubbard. "Denis Napthine likes to push the idea that he and the Liberal party are more caring and this was an opportunity to show it. The Liberals have not changed, they are sticking to the Kennett style which is to kick the poor and promote a divided Victoria."

The Victorian Trades Hall Council will be stepping up the campaign to support the Fair Employment Bill, particularly in regional areas before the Upper House debate on December 5th.

For more backgground on the Fair Employment Bill campaign go to www.vthc.org.au

For further information

Contact:	Leigh Hubbard
Union:	Victorian Trades Hall Council - OHS Unit
Phone:	9662 9833
Contact Mobile:	0408 936 738
WWW:	http://www.vthc.org.au

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