Liberal Candidate for Warren-Blackwood Ross Woodhouse has backed the Fair Work Commission’s decision to cut penalty rates for the hospitality, retail and fast food sectors, saying it is a good start but could go even further.
From July 1, Sunday pay rates for full-time and part-time hospitality and fast food workers will be cut from 175 per cent to 150 per cent, while retail and pharmacy full-time, part-time and casual employee rates will be reduced from 200 per cent to 175 per cent.
Mr Woodhouse said the move would allow small business owners to employ more staff for weekend work, reduce their own seven-day working week and perhaps allow them to stay open longer and ultimately bring down prices for consumers.
“I’m meeting many small business owners as I travel around the electorate who either work seven days a week because they cannot afford to pay staff the current weekend penalty rates, or who cannot afford to open on weekends or public holidays thereby missing out on valuable business,” he said.
“By cutting penalty rates, they will have a choice to open based on customer demand rather than the hard costs to the business.
“Over time these costs are likely to be passed onto the consumer which will also have a positive impact on tourism in the region and make us more internationally competitive,” he said.
"It will create more job opportunities for hospitality and retail workers as there will be more work available.”
The decision was met with anger from some Australian workers and UnionsWA secretary Meredith Hammat said the cuts were 'incredibly harsh'.
"This is a pay cut that working people in retail and hospitality can't afford and don't deserve,” she said.
"There will be many working people and their families who will be feeling shocked and angry … and feeling worried about how they will pay the bills.
"Like other Australians, West Australians care about weekends and WA's workplace relations laws should also be reformed to protect weekend rates.”
