Local Government News
 Ian
Causley
Canberra Connection
Workplace scare campaign
As you may be aware, the Australian Government is working to improve Australia's
workplace relations system.
The Government is looking at a range of improvements aimed at assisting Australia's
economy to continue to grow at a healthy rate, while still ensuring that workers
rights are protected.
As we have come to expect, Labor is continuing with its strategy of opposing
rather than proposing. Labor and the unions have embarked upon an aggressive scare
campaign designed to spread fear and misinformation throughout the country.
They have made, and are continuing to make, all sorts of deceitful comments
that are intended to confuse and frighten workers, and make workers feel that
their pay and conditions are under threat - they are not.
Labor and the unions are trying to convince Australian workers that minimum
pay rates will fall; they will be forced onto an Australian workplace agreement
(AWA); they will be banned from joining a union; overtime and penalty rates will
be banned; and the list goes on.
These claims are totally untrue and nothing more than mischievous scare mongering
by Labor and the unions. The Coalition Government will legislate to ensure that
minimum wage rates continue to be protected under law and can only increase. Furthermore,
it will continue to be illegal for employers to force workers off an award and
onto an AWA.
As well, Australians will still be able to join a union and have union representation
if they choose, and workers can continue to work overtime and be paid accordingly.
Labor and the unions are working together to mislead and frighten Australian
workers in the hope that it may lead to a change of government. What they underestimate,
though, is the ability of Australians to remember the last time Labor was in government
when fewer Australians had jobs and home loan interest rates were at record highs.
Internet service for pensioners
Increasingly, more and more business is being conducted over the internet,
including personal business such as keeping in touch and paying bills.
One of the factors that may deter some people from getting "on-line"
is the cost. Recently, however, Coalition Senator, Gary Humphries, launched a
new low-cost internet service called TADAustConnect.
This new internet provider has been set up to assist low-income earners in
receipt of aged pensions; Department of Veterans Affairs pensions; and disability
support pensions.
TADAustConnect will enable these customers to go online at only $5.50 per month.
Having affordable internet access makes a big difference to the social connectivity
of people in these groups. It allows them to stay in touch with people, find information,
pay bills, and gain access to various services.
Pensioners can find out more about this low-cost internet service by phoning
1300 663 243 or visit the website at www.tadaustconnect.org.au.
Office contacts
Address: PO Box 1119, Lismore, NSW, 2480
Phone: 6621 9909
Fax: 6621 9959
Email: ian.causley.mp@aph.gov.au
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