ACTU singles out Henderson’s votes on penalty rates

THE Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has targeted the voting record of Corangamite federal member Sarah Henderson on penalty rates by hiring a billboard in central Geelong.

The ACTU’s advertisement began soon after the release of a report by a Victorian Parliamentary inquiry into the impact on Victorians of the Fair Work Commission’s 2017 decision to reduce penalty rates in the hospitality, fast food, retail and pharmacy sectors.

The findings from the Penalty Rates and Fair Pay Select Committee include that the decision to reduce penalty rates “will reduce the disposable income of many employees in the affected industries”, and “will result in wage stagnation or wage reductions”.

The report also states “there is no evidence that new jobs have been created or additional hours offered following the first round of penalty rate reductions”, and “insufficient evidence that the reductions will have a positive effect on employment”.

The ACTU’s billboard stated “Sarah Henderson voted eight times to cut penalty rates”, which the ACTU says refers to her participation in eight votes against measures to restore wages to people whose wages were lower as a result of the commission’s decision.

The union says figures from the McKell Institute show penalty rate cuts will affect 6,473 people in the electorate of Corangamite.

“People in Geelong and the Surf Coast need a pay rise, but their local member has voted to have their pay cut,” Geelong Trades and Labour Council secretary Colin Vernon said.

“It’s disgraceful that Sarah Henderson voted in favour of cutting the pay of more than 6,000 people she is supposed to represent in Canberra.”

Ms Henderson said the billboard “reeks of hypocrisy, given some of the biggest reductions in penalty rates have been negotiated by trade unions for years.”

“Often it’s a complete cut to zero – and not just on Sundays, but Saturdays as well.

“Labor and the ACTU pretend to be outraged when the independent umpire, which they set up, is ensuring small businesses are able to compete with the big chains by reducing Sunday penalty rates in just four awards.”