Carina Garland (Chisholm, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

RLAND () (): Today, dairy workers, including those who live in my electorate and work at Peters, in Mulgrave, are taking action for fair wages that enable them to keep up with the cost of living. United Workers Union members want secure jobs so that they can plan their lives for themselves and their families and contribute to the community in local organisations like parents groups and sporting clubs. Workers want fair wages so that they have more to spend in the local community, and we know that, particularly in regional areas, this really matters to keep businesses and the local economy afloat.

The multinational companies who own dairy companies in Australia have seen profits rise and prices for milk increase, but none of this has been passed on to hardworking people in communities around our country so they can stay on top of the cost of living. Our government has made tackling the cost of living a priority, and we have backed pay rises and secure work, through legislation in this place. I urge multinational companies operating in Australian communities to do the same. United Workers Union members deserve fair wages and secure jobs, and I commend them for standing up for their communities today.