A Shorten Labor Government will reinstate the Commonwealth Cleaning Services Guidelines, which were callously and heartlessly abolished by the Abbott-Turnbull Government.

 

The Guidelines will ensure better wages and conditions for cleaners working in Commonwealth buildings by requiring those companies who tender for Commonwealth cleaning contracts to pay cleaners modestly above the award wage.

 

We want to lift Australians up not talk them down, we want to improve their standard of living not add to the cost of living with a 15 per cent GST on everything. We want to better their wages not cut them, we to want better their skills not degrade them.

 

Labor wants to advance Australia by ensuring Australians have a decent job.

 

A decent job provides a fair income and good conditions, is secure, safe and free from discrimination.
Despite the former Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, personally promising that abolishing the Guidelines would not affect cleaners’ pay –

 

“I want to make it absolutely crystal clear that no cleaner’s pay is reduced. No cleaner’s pay is reduced.”

 

TONY ABBOTT – QUESTION TIME – 16 JUNE 2014

 

- cleaners across Commonwealth buildings are having their pay cut by up to $6,000 annually.

 

Labor has continually called on the Abbott-Turnbull Government to reinstate the Guidelines, they have failed to so it’s time for Labor to mop up Malcolm Turnbull’s mess.

 

The decision to abolish the Guidelines is just one of a string of Abbott-Turnbull Government attacks on low paid workers, including a plan to put a 15 per cent GST on everything, a cowardly raid on the retirement savings of 3.6 million low income earners by scrapping Labor’s Low Income Super Contribution, delaying the rise in super from 9 to 12 per cent and slashing penalty rates.

 

In view of the history of underpayment, exploitation and unsafe work practices in the cleaning industry, the former Labor Government identified this sector as requiring special attention to promote fairness, bargaining, freedom of association and other workplace rights. Our view has not changed.

Cleaners do a fantastic job, and they deserve respect and fair wages and conditions. They’ll get them under a Shorten Labor Government.

THURSDAY 12 NOVEMBER 2015


MEDIA CONTACT: LEADER’S OFFICE MEDIA UNIT – 02 6277 4053

ERIN SMITH – 0458 950 010