Labor vows to claw back $5.9 billion in lost superannuation, stop workers being underpaid
As protesters struck during Labor’s national conference and invaded the stage, Labor Leader Bill Shorten vowed to claw back $5.9 billion of lost superannuation and stop almost one in three South Australians from being underpaid. He also unveiled plans for an overhaul of environmental law.
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Labor Leader Bill Shorten has vowed to claw back $5.9 billion of lost superannuation and stop almost one in three South Australians from being underpaid.
Opening the party’s national conference in Adelaide on Sunday, Mr Shorten announced superannuation would become part of the national employment standards, if Labor is elected next year.
“Bosses who rip off their staff and steal their super should receive the same punishments and penalties as those who violate any other workplace right,” Mr Shorten said.
Under proposed changes to the Fair Work Act, employees would be encouraged to recoup unpaid super from dodgy bosses through the Fair Work Commission or the Federal Court.
It is designed to speed up the recovery of payments by putting the power in the hands of employees, instead of the Australian Taxation Office.
At least 177,700 South Australian workers have been dudded on superannuation, including receiving no payments, or been underpaid an average $1650, according to Industry Super Australia figures.
Business SA chief executive Nigel McBride said workers deserved be paid superannuation.
However, he raised concern about union involvement in chasing unpaid super and using it as an issue that leads to industrial strife.
“The ATO have enormous powers to compel payment and to impose penalties. We just wonder what the value of making it an industrial matter is,” he said.
“It is an unnecessary thing as it is a legal requirement now.”
Labor financial services spokeswoman Clare O’Neil said victims of these practices were often “young people, women, people working part-time and people in low income jobs” who were also vulnerable in other ways.
As part of sweeping reforms put forward at the conference, a motion to address superannuation disadvantages for women was supported.
Labor’s push for a fair go underpinned the opening of the conference, where South Australian Labor figures such as former premier Jay Weatherill were praised for their work.
State Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas addressed more than 400 delegates and 1000 observers with a call to arms, saying: “When Australia becomes less fair, it is time for a Labor government.”
But some unionists saw it as an opportunity for senior Labor figures to listen to them on issues such as the Adani coal mine and refugees.
As Mr Shorten walked to the lectern to make his opening remarks, protester and Australian Services Union member Isaac Astill, 25, from Yankalilla, took to the stage, holding a “Stop Adani” flag.
He told The Advertiser he wanted to send a strong message to the Labor Party that they needed to stop Adani.
“It is now time to ramp up the pressure,” Mr Astill said.
As he was escorted from the stage, refugee advocates saw it as their opportunity to stage a sit-in protest on the stage.
Mr Shorten waited as security carefully dragged protesters from the stage.
South Australian women’s service provider Catherine House was named the charity of the conference.
As protesters strike, Labor wants to overhaul green laws
Labor has promised to introduce a raft of measures to protect the environment, arguing that current laws are stuck in the 20th century.
The policy was announced yesterday — on the same day the Labor national conference was targeted by hundreds of environmentalists protesting against the party’s position on the Adani mine and fossil fuels.
Opposition environment spokesman Tony Burke told delegates Labor would introduce a raft of measures to stop unnecessary land clearing, protect national parks and reduce plastic polluting the ocean.
“Labor will also establish a new agency, a Federal EPA, with the mission to protect Australia’s natural environment,” Mr Burke said.
“It will be informed by the best available scientific advice and ensure compliance with environmental law, and have the ability to conduct public inquiries on important environmental matters.
“The new legal framework will compel the Australian government to actively protect our unique natural environment and demonstrate national leadership.”
The announcement came too late to stop significant protests both inside and outside the conference.
Bill Shorten’s big moment on stage was briefly overshadowed when activists, protesting against the proposed Adani coal mine in Queensland, stormed the stage after noisy demonstrations outside earlier in the day.
It was followed by more protests lasting all day.
Greens environment spokeswoman Sarah Hanson-Young welcomed Labor’s proposed new laws — but warned the “strong environmental protections” would fail without proper investment and commitment.
“We welcome Labor adopting Greens’ policy on stronger protections for the environment, but without proper investment and committing to no new coal, oil and gas they will fail,” Senator Hanson-Young said.
“We need a Government committed to stopping Adani and protecting the Great Australian Bight.
“We need a Government that will invest in environmental protections and save our threatened species.
“The Greens in the Senate will ensure Labor is held to their promises on protecting the environment. We will always stand up to the fossil fuels lobby and fight for no new coal, oil and gas.”
Shorten target of climate campaign
A low-profile environmental charity, headed by a former Greenpeace activist, has launched a major public ad campaign challenging Opposition Leader Bill Shorten to stop Queensland’s Adani coal mine.
The Sunrise Project, which describes itself as “a hybrid campaigning and funding organisation”, has today authorised ads timed with Mr Shorten’s visit to Adelaide, calling for him and the ALP to be a leader and party “we can believe in”.
“If you are serious about leading the country, and about leading on climate change policy, now is the time to join the community on the right side of history,” the charity says in a full-page ad today.
The NSW-based charity, part of the Stop Adani Alliance, was founded in 2012 by former Greenpeace campaigner John Hepburn.
Among its board members are Environment Victoria chief Mark Wakeham and European Climate Foundation executive Aviva Imhof.
The charity has nearly doubled its grants and donations from $4.7 million in 2016 to $8.6 million in 2017, according to latest financials lodged with the charity regulator.
The funds are directed to other non-government groups in line with their objectives, which include 100 per cent renewable energy across the nation by 2030.
— Josephine Lim
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