Double-check your pay slip as penalty rates change
SLATER and Gordon lawyers are reminding hospitality, fast food, retail and pharmacy workers to ensure they were not short changed this weekend, when penalty rates were slashed.
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Sunday and public holiday penalty rates were reduced from July 1, 2017, following a Fair Work Commission ruling in February this year.
Workers need to remember the Sunday cuts will not be fully implemented for number of years – in fact, the full effect of Sunday penalty rate cuts will not be felt until 2019 for the hospitality and fast food industries and 2020 for retail and pharmacy workers.
The first annual cut is five per cent across all four of those industries. From there, hospitality and fast food workers will endure a 10 per cent Sunday rate reduction every year, while rates for retail and pharmacy workers will drop 15 per cent annually.
These cuts are a huge step backwards for Australian workers who have fought for fair pay and working conditions for generations, but employees need to remember they still have rights.
Whether you’re permanent or casual, it is illegal for you to be fired or have your shifts cut for raising a concern about your payslip or entitlements.
Check your new penalty rates against the calculation on your payslip: if they don’t match, raise it with your boss, your union, the Fair Work Ombudsman, or seek legal advice.
Aron Neilson, principal employment lawyer, Slater and Gordon
Campaign aims to attract people to regional areas
THE Andrews Labor Government has launched a new campaign to attract people to regional Victoria.
I joined Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford in Ballarat on Friday to launch the “Ready when you are” campaign, to attract people to regional Victoria.
The campaign features people from around the state who relocated to regional Victoria, sharing their stories about what encouraged them to make the move.
Research shows the key attractors to relocation are affordable housing, education, health and lifestyle – with key drivers being family, social connections and employment.
That’s why the Labor Government is making record investments in schools, hospitals, and transport, giving locals the services they need, and better connect regional communities to jobs, opportunities and each other.
The government is also making it easier for people to buy their first home by doubling the First Home Owner Grant to $20,000 in regional Victoria.
The measure will help about 6000 first home buyers and boost jobs and development in regional Victoria.
Stamp duty for first home buyers will also be abolished all homes valued up to $600,000, and will be reduced on homes up to $750,000 – saving first home buyers across the state about $850 million over four years.
Given the median house price in regional Victoria is under $600,000, this will make a real difference for young Victorians.
These measures will come into force tomorrow, along with a 25 per cent cut to payroll tax.
It is expected up to 4000 regional businesses will be eligible for the exemption, with more than 1000 of those enjoying the lowest payroll tax rate in the country.
This is a shot in the arm for businesses looking to expand their operations, and another boost for regional jobs, which have already grown by more than 55,000 since the Labor Government took office in 2014.
The farming community has not missed out either, with the removal of insurance duty on agricultural products, making it cheaper for farmers to insure against crop, livestock and equipment damage.
For more information about moving to Victoria’s regions, visit regionalliving.vic.gov.au
Tim Pallas, State Treasurer