MORRISON GOVERNMENT UNDERPAYS ANTI-TERROR POLICE

THE HON TONY BURKE MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE ARTS
MANAGER OF OPPOSITION BUSINESS
MEMBER FOR WATSON

SENATOR THE HON KRISTINA KENEALLY
DEPUTY LABOR LEADER IN THE SENATE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS
SHADOW MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP
SENATOR FOR NEW SOUTH WALES
 

Scott Morrison must ensure that Australian Federal Police officers are paid properly for their vital and often dangerous work.

News today that hundreds of officers have not been paid proper overtime entitlements for national security work such as investigating and monitoring terror suspects is deeply disappointing.

Some officers have been waiting years to be paid what they’re owed. The Government must explain what they’ve done to rectify this issue – and why it is taking so long.

Every business in Australia has a responsibility to pay its workers properly and so does the Government.

Is it any wonder wage theft is rife across Australia when this is the example the Morrison Government is setting?

Scott Morrison simply does not take wage compliance seriously. And by failing to act on this issue his Government has sent the message to businesses that they don’t need to take it seriously either.
 
That's why Labor last year established an inquiry into wage theft. It will help the Parliament develop ways to stop employers underpaying their staff, and ensure workers get what they are owed.
 
Of course if the Government really cared about wage theft they would ditch their union-bashing Ensuring Integrity legislation – which will weaken the very organisations dedicated to uncovering wage theft.
 
MONDAY, 6 JANUARY 2020