A LABOR government would accept the outcome of a Fair Work Commission review into penalty rates, but will do everything in its power to change its mind, Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters says.
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The issue was brought back into the spotlight on Monday when Labor’s workplace relations spokesman Brendan O’Connor refused to guarantee that penalty rates would remain untouched under a Shorten government.
The Fair Work Commission is assessing weekend penalty rates in the retail and hospitality industries, with a decision expected just after the July 2 election.
Labor has repeatedly criticised the government for wanting to cut penalty rates, but could be forced to make the cut itself should the commission come back with that recommendation.
Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters said Labor would instead change the government’s submission to the review.
“If Labor wins the election, we will intervene in this case,” she said.
“Labor would withdraw the current government’s position to cut penalty rates, and instead put in a submission with our arguments.”
Ms Chesters said while Labor could not determine the outcome of the review, their submission would have an impact on the result.
Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie took to Twitter to publicly question whether Ms Chesters would stand by the decision of the Fair Work Commission, adding the hashtag “confusion reigns”.
The Greens announced it would legislate to protect penalty rates, but Ms Chesters said that could make it possible for governments to bypass the independent Fair Work Commission.
Ms McKenzie and Liberal candidate for Bendigo Megan Purcell were contacted for comment.