Queensland Apprentices Used As Political Pawns

Media Release

Queensland Senator Pauline Hanson has written to Premier Annastasia Palaszczuk urging her Government to “stop playing silly buggers” and come to the table to arrange a multi-million dollar fund with the Federal Government to back pay apprentices after a Fair Work Ombudsman bungle. The apprenticeship wages debacle occurred during the transition from state awards to the national Modern Award, where many Queensland employers were granted an exemption from paying new national apprenticeship wages under a deal struck between previous Labor Governments.

In August 2016, the Fair Work Commission ruled that Queensland-awards were not valid contrary to the previous advice of the Fair Work Ombudsman. The decision was later upheld by the full bench of the Fair Work Commission in February 2017, and the Federal Court in November 2017 chose not to overrule the Fair Work Commission.

 Senator Hanson said “Small businesses affected have done nothing wrong in the eyes of the Federal Fair Work laws. They had followed the advice of the Ombudsman and have had their agreements endorsed by the Fair Work Commission. Yet, because of errors on the part of these organisations, they find themselves exposed to very significant financial claims, and for some potential bankruptcy.”

“I’ve taken the concerns of Queensland businesses and apprentices to both Minister Cash and Minister Laundy who have assured me the Federal Government have long tried to settle the back pay issue but hit a brick wall with the Palaszczuk Government.”

“Apprentices don’t care about party politics, they simply want their full entitlements and I support them in their efforts.”

“The Federal Government have accepted that Government run agencies have caused this situation and they need to fix it. The Turnbull Government have offered to back pay apprentices, but need the cooperation of the Queensland Government to settle the matter.”

“Queensland small businesses are under intense pressure from unions despite having acted in good faith and on the advice of the Fair Work Commission. This pressure includes forcing the union template enterprise agreements on them and threats of third-party boycotts.”

Senator Hanson hopes a speedy resolution can be negotiated with the Queensland Premier and her Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister Grace.