Australian Workforce

The majority voted against a motion introduced by Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon (NSW), which means it failed.

Motion text

That the Senate—

(a) notes:

(i) that 40 per cent of the Australian workforce is employed in insecure work,

(ii) there is an increase in jobs that have irregular work hours and pay, inferior rights and entitlements and no job security compared to fulltime work,

(iii) the growth of insecure work is primarily driven by employers trying to increase profits by avoiding costs such as paid leave, workers' compensation, long service leave and superannuation, associated with fulltime work,

(iv) that although irregular working arrangements might suit some people, employees currently have little control over their working hours and arrangements, so 'flexibility' usually just means flexibility for the employer, and

(v) that unions play a key role in protecting workplace conditions of workers; and

(b) calls on the Government to:

(i) help give people a better work-life balance by giving them more control over their working hours and arrangements, strengthening rights and minimum standards for contractors, and securing improvements to the bargaining system,

(ii) ensure all workers have access to fair working conditions, such as annual leave, paid sick leave, overtime, penalty rates and long service leave, and

(iii) recognise the role of unions in securing better minimum standards through awards and legislation.