Fair Work Commission There is an increasing understanding in the business community that the Fair Work Commission is partisan, dysfunctional and divided. I do not consider that the system provides a framework for the co- operative and productive workplace relations and I do not consider that it promotes economic prosperity or social inclusion. Nor do I consider that it can be considered balanced.” (Vice President Watson) Australian Public Transport Industrial Association

Government and Policy Making “These days there is little debate about structural reform, little debate about micro economic reforms, and we do not focus upon enhancing the drivers of productivity growth. Somebody needs to keep the flame alive for policy because we have to come back to this issue and about how we make the economy more productive, how we improve economic growth and how to develop prosperity. The political class is not focused on this at the moment but if things continue as they are it will be forced by crisis to focus on it.” (Peter Costello) Australian Public Transport Industrial Association

Legislation Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Vulnerable Workers) Bill Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Australian Workers) Bill 2016 Fair Work Amendment (Bargaining Processes) Bill 2014 Fair Work Amendment (Remaining Measures) Bill 2015 Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2016 Australian Public Transport Industrial Association

Protecting Australian/ Vulnerable Workers “A Labor information sheet seeks two year jail terms for underpayment of wages says new penalties should be increased to match the penalties for anti competitive conduct which allow a court to impose fines three times the amount of the underpayment or $216,000.00 for an individual and about a 1 million dollars for a corporation.” A Coalition Government will introduce higher penalties (ten times the current maximum penalties) for employers who deliberately and systematically underpay workers and fail to keep proper records. A new offence will be introduced to cover behaviour in which an employer pays the correct wages but requires an employee to repay part in cash.” Australian Public Transport Industrial Association

Wages Growth “Over the past year the average wages growth has remained relatively low. The December quarter in 2015 of 2.2% for the WPI and 1.6% for the AWOTE is the lowest for the past decade and below the unusually low growth seen since 2013. The RBA observed that wage growth is well below its decade average in all industries and dispersions across industries measured against the WPI and is around the lowest since the late 1990’s when the WPI began.” (Minimum Wage Determination 2016) Australian Public Transport Industrial Association

Penalty Rates “We don’t believe I reducing people’s wages in this country. We support a strong safety net and a minimum wage and what we need to see is that these conditions are not cut. We have a stagnant economy and one in which has historically high under employment. The last thing that workers need is to have their wages cut willy nilly.” (Bill Shorten) Australian Public Transport Industrial Association

Union Membership “Figures show that the Union movement is the strongest membership organisation in the Country and if you ae a union member you will be paid more. With more than 40% of workers now in part time and casual insecure work people shouldn’t be fooled into thinking that this is a sign of more flexible work when in fact it is overwhelmingly inequitable and lower paid.” (Scott Connolly, ACTU Assistant Secretary) Australian Public Transport Industrial Association