Sam Lim (Tangney, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

We live in uncertain times. A decade of economic mismanagement, war raging in Eastern Europe and the enduring consequences of global pandemic put pressure on our economy—pressure that is felt the hardest by working families. Last year there were 2.7 million casual workers in Australia, 300,000 more than the previous year, and 800,000 working regular hours. These are not just numbers; those are real Australians experiencing job insecurity in an already uncertain context. Having to worry about the possibility of losing your job contributes to the anxiety of providing for your family. Casual workers don't get paid leave. Casuals may struggle to plan for the future. Casuals are twice as likely to change jobs, whether because of economic reasons or because of seasonally available vacancies.

I don't know this because I have seen the statistics; I know because I have experienced this myself. When I arrived in Australia, my first job I had was security guard. I found myself in this situation, waiting weekly for the roster to find out if the last pay slip was going to be enough. In addition to this, how many of these jobs are in industries that more often than not pay minimum wage? They are retail workers, hospitality workers, warehouse and logistics workers.

We must not overlook the fact that casual workers are more likely to be underemployed and that they are more likely to be female. Over 23 per cent of female workers are casuals. How are we going to close the gender pay gap if more women are experiencing job insecurity? I have a huge respect for casual workers. I know how hard it is going to work worrying about not being able to provide for your loved ones—those loved ones that you barely get to see because these jobs often include rotating rosters, night shifts and weekend work.

We have a responsibility to stand up for those who are doing it tougher and to care for those who are under the heaviest pressure because those before us were incapable of empathy. Today, the coalition sit across this chamber and accusingly talk about the cost-of-living crisis and inflation, and they expect us to believe that they are the people's champions. Well, they are not. They institutionalised job insecurity. In 2021 they introduced a bill with the purpose of legitimising an unfair definition of casual employment. They did it with that sole purpose because they later voted against every other part of this legislation. They voted against criminalising wage theft. They voted against workers' interests.

The Albanese Labor government will do things differently. We are putting workers rights as a priority, and we are committed to improving their working conditions. We will introduce a fairer definition of casual employment with clearer pathways to job security. We will close the loophole that leaves people stuck as casuals, even if they are working regular hours. It will be at the employee's discretion to express their intention to become a permanent employee. Many will not, and they will not be forced to convert either. We are not against businesses; we are here to work together—government, business owners and workers—to get the best outcome for everyone.

There will be no net cost for businesses. As it is now, they will either pay casual loading or leave entitlements. They will not have to pay both. We are not doing anything special. We are just sticking to our word. We are doing what we promised, and we are making sure that no-one gets left behind.

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