Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said around 700,000 low paid workers across the country in retail, fast food, hospitality and pharmacy – including many in his electorate – would now be paid less this Sunday than they were last Sunday.
This follows the latest round of penalty rate cuts that took effect on 1 July.
“I know people in my electorate of Blair are rightly worried about low economic growth, stagnant wages and the rising cost of living,” he said.
“But the Liberals are happy to stand by as already low paid workers suffer a third cut to their take-home pay in as many years.
“This latest 10 to 15 per cent cut means many workers will lose thousands of dollars from their pay packets this financial year.
“Some workers will be up to $26,000 worse off by the time these cuts are fully implemented on July 1 next year.
“All up, workers will lose an estimated $2.9 billion.
Mr Neumann noted these penalty rates have been cut every 1 July since 2017 under this Government.
“This is just another devastating consequence of the Liberals’ re-election,” he said.
“This will make it harder for many workers in the Ipswich, Somerset and Karana Downs regions, to pay their rent, cover their bills and look after their families.
“And yet there is no evidence that these cuts have produced any jobs, like Scott Morrison promised they would.
“Even the Council of Small Business admits these jobs have not materialised.
“Labor is committed to reversing these cuts to working people’s take-home pay.
“If this tired third-term Government wants to stimulate the economy the last thing it should be doing is standing idly by while people’s wages are cut.
“Yet Scott Morrison has voted eight times against restoring penalty rates.
“Penalty rates are not a luxury – many low-paid workers rely on them to put food on the table and petrol in the car.
“They can make the difference for people struggling to pay the electricity bill, the private health insurance premiums or child care costs – all of which keep soaring under this Government,” Mr Neumann said.
