Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

Employers who have received the letter from the union may be being seriously misled in relation to the effect of their paying the $30,000 demanded by the union. Accordingly, I suggest that they seek their own legal advice. The union letter demands that the employer pay the money—$30,000—as a supposed payment in lieu of penalty. However, it could well be that the Fair Work Ombudsman or indeed individual workers can still take a claim and the court impose a penalty, and therefore there is very real concern about the probity and robustness of the legal letter provided by Slater & Gordon to the 23 employers. I simply suggest to the 23 employers confronted with this standard letter that they seek their own legal advice to ensure that no money is extorted out of them.