Anthony Albanese’s plan to protect penalty rates for three million Australian workers

Penalty rates for three million workers on awards will be protected under an Albanese government pledge that reignites an election fight over industrial relations.

Jade Gailberger

@JadeGailberger

less than 2 min read

April 19, 2025 - 9:13AM

National News Network

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Penalty rates for three million workers on awards will be protected under an Albanese government pledge that reignites an election fight over industrial relations.

Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt has revealed Labor will introduce legislation to safeguard higher rates for working certain hours, or on specific days such as weekends and public holidays.

The move comes after employer groups across the retail, banking and administration sectors made applications to the Fair Work Commission to cut rates in exchange for a large pay increase.

But Senator Watt said weekends were special times to gather with family, have weddings, birthdays and hold grand finals.

“If you have to work during those times, we think you deserve to be rewarded for that,” he said.

Members of the Mining and Energy Union (MEU) hold a rally in Brisbane demanding better pay conditions for workers. Picture: NewsWire

“We will introduce legislation to ensure workers don’t have their pay cut and their penalty rates are protected into the future.

“We will always stand with workers to protect their wages so that we can help them deal with the pressures of today and get ahead in the future.”

Senator Watt intervened in the retail case, arguing that the wages of low-paid workers should not go backwards as a matter of principle.

Seven in 10 Australians said protecting penalty rates was important when deciding how they would vote at the federal election, according to a recent poll commissioned by Australian Unions.

Analysis from the ACTU shows that if penalty rates were scrapped, a retail worker on a typical roster over Easter would lose $353, while an aged care worker would lose $624.