Government urged to stop the Hunter’s $140 million super rip off 

Industry Super Australia (ISA) analysis of 2018/19 tax file data shows 73,950 workers in the federal electorates of Hunter, Newcastle, Shortland and Paterson were short-changed on their super, those impacted lost on average $1,879 in a year.

This year the $450 threshold was removed – which means workers who earn less than that amount a month are now paid super – and the super rate increased from 10% to 10.5% of wages.  

But 29% of the region’s workers won’t get the full benefit of these changes because they are being ripped off on their entitlements. Missing out on super contributions can cost a worker up to $60,000 at retirement.   

To end the Hunter’s unpaid super scourge the government should change the law to require all employers pay super with wages.

While most employers do the right thing, some are exploiting an outdated rule that allows them to pay super quarterly, often despite what is written on the payslip. Without alignment of super and wages, workers lose track of payments and only discover they’ve been underpaid when it is too late.

Because super can be paid quarterly some small business owners also succumb to the temptation of using their employees’ super contributions for cashflow, which also leads to underpayments.

Paying super with wages would level the playing field for all employers, stopping the unfair commercial advantage exploitative bosses get by not paying their workers’ full entitlements.

The Australian Tax Office’s patchy enforcement action has only recovered a dismal 15% of unpaid super. With limited enforcement a growing chorus of organisations have backed paying super with wages to fix the problem, including industry super funds, Super Consumers Australia, employer representatives, unions, think-tanks, accounting bodies, law firms and two senate inquiries.

The Labor government’s commitment to creating enforcement targets and including super in the National Employment Standards are welcome but will not stop underpayments occurring, the only way to address the problem at its source is to mandate super is paid with wages.    

Super should also be added to the Fair Entitlements Guarantee, the government fund that pays unpaid wages after a company’s liquidation. Many businesses go bust owing substantial amounts of super to workers.  

Industry Super Australia Chief Executive Bernie Dean said:

“With super going up, and thousands of lower-paid workers finally eligible to receive it, it’s even more important for the government to make sure workers get what they are owed.” 

“There’s a growing number of organisations calling on the government to change the law to make all employers pay super to their employees when they pay wages.”

“By not mandating employers pay super with wages, politicians are effectively standing in the way of millions of workers getting money they’ve earned and undermining their future economic security.”

Table 1: Unpaid super by NSW federal electorate in the Newcastle and Hunter regions in 2018-19

ElectoratePersonsPercentage of electorateAverage underpaid Total ($m)
Newcastle18,65028%$1,995$37.2
Shortland18,15031%$2,017$36.6
Paterson18,80029%$1,871$35.2
Hunter18,35029%$1,633$30.0
Regional total73,95029%$1,879$139.0

NTEU members to strike for 24 hours at University of Newcastle to progress crucial claims in Enterprise Bargaining 

National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) members at all University of Newcastle (UON) campuses will strike for 24 hours on Wednesday 21 September, following exhaustive efforts in Enterprise Bargaining to progress claims centred on job security, safe working conditions and fair pay.

Two weeks ago, NTEU members at the Callaghan, City, and Central Coast campuses voted overwhelmingly to escalate industrial action.

“Negotiations with UON management for have dragged on for more than a year,” said NTEU Newcastle Branch Vice-President, Associate Professor Terry Summers.  

“Our members are disappointed by a lack of movement on key issues such as safe workloads, a fair pay offer and job security. Staff are now taking action to defend the excellent higher education that we are committed to provide.”

“Last year, despite the University making a record surplus of $185 million, hundreds of colleagues were impacted by job cuts. Most staff at UON are employed casually or on short-term contracts. Job insecurity makes it harder for staff to provide the quality of education our students and our community deserve. We need protections against job cuts and improved pathways to more secure jobs.

“Because of these cuts, we have fewer staff being asked to do more with less. These staff are already overworked. This impacts quality of education and research.  We need improved leave rights and enforceable protections against overwork and unreasonable working hours to improve work-life balance.

“We also need fair pay to recognise UON’s strong financial position, productivity gains and the escalating cost of living pressures. Staff must be paid for all hours worked and have protections to stop rampant wage theft.

“Today’s action is a further expression of the NTEU’s desire to deliver fair enterprise agreements for all staff,” added Associate Professor Summers.  “Members want management to work with us to deliver new Enterprise Agreements for all staff that acknowledge our excellent work with fair working conditions.”

Visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly High Level Week

Foreign Minister Penny Wong will lead Australia’s delegation to the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York from 19 to 24 September.

Australia helped create the United Nations and ensuring its strength and effectiveness remains in our interests today.

The United Nations Charter has been the foundation of our peace and prosperity for almost 80 years, but it is under threat.

Minister Wong will deliver Australia’s national statement outlining our commitment to strengthening the global rules based order, and demonstrating that Australia is a ready and able partner for all countries that seek a world that is peaceful, prosperous and where sovereignty is respected.

The Foreign Minister will engage with a broad range of partners to promote the priorities of Australia and our region on peace and security, human rights, development and action on climate change.

Senator Dodson will join the Foreign Minister in New York to explain and advance the Government’s commitment to implement the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full.

He and the Foreign Minister will hold discussions to listen and learn from the experiences of other countries and Indigenous representatives, as Australia moves to deliver a First Nations foreign policy.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong said:

“It’s in Australia’s national interest to ensure a world where countries operate by agreed rules and norms, and where outcomes aren’t decided by power and size alone.

“That means we need to work with others to solve shared problems and advance our interests.”

QSenator Patrick Dodson said:

“In Australia we are currently having a conversation about how we bring First Nations perspectives to the forefront of all that we do, and this includes foreign and trade policy.

“First Nations experiences and practices can enrich our diplomacy and strengthen our relationships with other countries, including in the Indo-Pacific region.”

Australian Greens to introduce Fairer Paid Parental Leave Bill

The Greens will introduce the Fairer Paid Parental Leave Bill to deliver 26 weeks of paid leave paid at replacement wage capped, with super paid on leave, and ‘use it or lose it’ incentives for partners to encourage shared parenting.

Greens leader in the senate and spokesperson on women Senator Larissa Waters said: 

“Fairer paid parental leave is a no-brainer that benefits everyone – parents, children and the economy. And if we scrap the Stage 3 tax cuts, we can easily afford it.

“The Fairer Paid Parental Leave Bill will reduce the amount of time women are missing a pay cheque and provide families with more incentives, and more support, to share caring responsibilities more fairly.

“Australia has one of the weakest parental leave schemes in the developed world, especially for fathers. There was unanimous support from the Jobs and Skills Summit participants for that to change.
 
“If the government is serious about increasing women’s workforce participation, it needs to do more than to nod sagely while a panel of expert women says these things. Labor needs to actually act.
 
“The current parental leave scheme tends to lock mums into the role of primary carer and the loss of work opportunities that comes with it. We need to do much more to encourage both parents to share the parenting load, and to normalise working arrangements that help families juggle work and caring responsibilities. 

“We know from the experience in other countries that more equitable parental leave, coupled with free childcare, has a significant impact on women’s workforce participation. It also helps to shape long term sharing of childcare and unpaid household tasks.

“Use it or lose it” provisions in Scandinavian countries saw a huge jump in the number of dads taking leave and that fairer sharing of care has been sustained for more than a decade.  
 

Senator Barbara Pocock, Greens spokesperson on Employment said:

“I heard unanimous support for fairer paid parental leave at the Jobs and Skills Summit.The Greens are turning talk into action, giving notice of the Fairer Paid Parental Leave Bill to increase Paid Parental leave by six weeks, to 26 weeks, with salaries matched up to $100k p.a., superannuation and incentives for parents to share care.

“As Chair of the Parliament’s first Senate Select Committee on Work and Care I know that the evidence on paid parental leave is overwhelming: we need it, and we need more of it. As an economist I know that without kids – and the care put into raising them – there is no economy. It is that simple. 

“Having children is hard labour and it should be recognised with decent recovery time and paid leave. It has been known for more than a century that economies benefiting from women’s work should ensure recovery and bonding time when they have a baby.’

“Australia came late to paid parental leave in 2011. And, with no significant improvements since, we have fallen behind the international standard again now. The world has moved on: It is time to play catch up and make sure new parents get the support they need.

“It’s time we recognised women’s role in our economy. Talking about women and equality is not enough, we must act. 

“It helps both women and the economy because paid leave gives women a greater connection to the workplace. That’s what we need in this time of skill shortages.

“Decent paid parental leave is a cornerstone of a good work and care system. At the moment we are lagging: it’s time to catch up.

Origin bailing out of Beetaloo only the beginning: Greens

Origin Energy’s decision to step back from fracking the Beetaloo Basin is welcome, Leader of the Australian Greens Adam Bandt MP said today, but warned that the fight to stop the project is still ongoing.

Despite this announcement, Origin have promised to remain a customer of the project.

With growing backlash to opening up the Beetaloo Basin to fracking, which would unleash 34 billion tonnes of carbon emissions, Adam Bandt said that the government should provide certainty by blocking new coal and gas.

Adam Bandt MP, Leader of the Australian Greens said:
“This is a win for the First Nations peoples and climate activists who have been fighting to stop this terrible project for years,” Mr Bandt said.

“However, the fight is not over. Origin has clearly decided that they don’t want their name attached to this dirty project in partnership with a Russian Oligarch on US, UK and Australian sanctions lists.

“The Beetaloo Basin is a climate bomb no matter whose name is on the fracking wells. Whether Origin Energy is involved or not, cracking open the Basin would increase Australia’s total carbon emissions by up to 11%.

“Tamboran have already demonstrated that they have zero interest in meaningfully engaging with the problems caused by the project from First Nations opposition to entering a commercial relationship with a blacklisted Russian billionaire. They have refused to show up to a Senate Inquiry into the project – potentially leaving them in contempt of Parliament, and facing fines or even jail time. 

“First Nations people and climate defenders shouldn’t be forced to engage in a years-long game of whack a mole with the Beetaloo Basin. Anthony Albanese should come out and commit to stopping the project, so that the whole country can focus on investing in clean energy.”

Greens spokesperson for Resources, Yamatji-Noongar Woman Senator Dorinda Cox said:
“Origin are either in or they’re out – everything else is greenwashing. You can’t remain a customer while trying to distance yourself from this dirty climate bomb,” Senator Cox said.

“The Beetaloo project relies on manufactured consent and the destruction of First Nations land and Sea Country. Tamboran must consult and engage with all Traditional Owners and obtain free, informed, prior consent before proceeding with this project.

“Traditional Owners and climate defenders will continue to petition to stop this project. It’s past time for governments to listen to Traditional Owners and the science.

“Traditional Owners and grassroots organisations are the last line of defence for protection of our Land and Sea Country. We need investment in cleaner, greener renewable energy projects that preserve cultural heritage and First Nations’ way of life.”

Safety Improvements at Highfields and Adamstown Heights

Motorists in Highfields and Adamstown Heights are now experiencing safer and quicker journeys on City Road following the early completion of two intersection upgrades.
 
Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward said these projects have significantly eased congestion and increased safety across the intersections at Kahibah Road Highfields and Northcott Drive Adamstown Heights across City Road.
 
“We are busting congestion so you spend less time in traffic and have more time to do the things that are important to you,” Mrs Ward said.
 
“The completion of these major intersection upgrades has increased the traffic flow capacity and improved safety.
 
“The Northcott Drive intersection includes new safety barriers, improved drainage, repaired existing walls, upgraded electrical components and relocated services.”
 
Minister for Regional Roads Sam Farraway said the intersection upgrades, funded through $13.5 million from the Hunter Pinch Points Program, involved extending right turn lanes, building new left turn lanes on City Road, adding an extra right turn lane out of Kahibah Road and widening sections of the road to improve traffic flows.
 
“The upgraded intersections are now open to traffic, and we can now complete work on a new crossing connecting to a new ramp and existing footpath across Northcott Drive, and complete improvements to the existing City Road pedestrian crossing,” Mr Farraway said.
 
“City Road is a vital transport, tourist and freight route which is used by about 6,000 vehicles per hour at this location, including 150 heavy vehicles.
 
“This work has improved safety at this location, and supported 75 jobs during the
construction period, providing a welcome boost to the local economy.
 
“We thank residents, business and road users for their patience and support during this work.”

Legal bid made to stop union from turning off Opal machines

Last night, the NSW Government lodged a section 418 application in the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to have the destructive action proposed by the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) to turn off or short circuit Opal machines declared ‘unprotected’.
 
The application to the independent FWC has been made following legal advice received by the Government that the proposed action is prima facie unlawful.
 
Sydney Trains and NSW Train Link believe the notified action is also unsafe and could cause financial impacts on commuters.
 
The submission comes after the Combined Rail Unions rejected a number of formal requests from transport officials to withdraw the action.
 
The matter is expected to be heard within the next 48 hours.
 
The NSW Government remains committed to bargaining in good faith but will take all measures available to ensure taxpayer assets are not tampered with as part of the union’s Labor endorsed campaign of strikes and disruption for commuters.

Major construction complete on the AGNSW expansion

Major construction works for the $344 million expansion of the Art Gallery of NSW is now complete, with the new build on track to open its doors on Saturday 3 December. 
 
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the project was part of the NSW Government’s record investment in arts and culture.
 
“Sydney is Australia’s only global city and the expansion of the Art Gallery of NSW bolsters our reputation as one of the world’s cultural capitals,” Mr Perrottet said. 
 
“The new building is an architectural masterpiece, befitting of some of the world’s finest artworks and we can’t wait to welcome the public in December.
 
“Our $244 million investment into this project will attract tourism, help inject $1 billion into the NSW economy and most importantly, inspire the next generation of artists.”
 
The $244 million contribution was made possible by the NSW Government’s successful asset recycling program, which Labor has always opposed.
 
Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes said delivery of the Art Gallery of NSW expansion created 540 construction jobs and was completed to an incredibly high standard.
 
“Cultural infrastructure is crucial to creating great cities and the Project expands one of Australia’s leading landmarks, nestled in one of our finest public spaces,” Mr Stokes said.
 
“This is an incredible building that combines striking design features with excellence in sustainability, recognised with a Six Star Green Star design rating.
 
“It has been designed to accommodate the artworks of the 21st century, with a fritted glass canopy, feature galleries and a unique 250-metre rammed earth wall sweeping through two levels of the building, made from NSW-sourced materials.”
 
Minister for Arts and Tourism Ben Franklin said the spectacular new building will double the space for art, with floor space increasing from 9,000 square metres to 16,000 square metres.
 
“Along with enjoying leading exhibitions from around the world, visitors will also be able to enjoy new outdoor spaces, including a public art garden, all set in one of the world’s most beautiful cultural precincts, adjacent to the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney,” Mr Franklin said.
 
“It’s also exciting that in addition to the new building by Pritzker Prize-winning architects SANAA, the Art Gallery’s much-loved original building is being revitalised for everyone to enjoy.
 
“The expansion will include the celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, showcasing the Art Gallery’s internationally renowned collection in a permanent gallery, the first to be encountered by visitors on entrance level of the new building, as well as across the expanded art museum.”
 
Together with the NSW Government’s $244 million in funding, the Art Gallery has raised more than $100 million from private donors to support the extension. It is Australia’s largest government and philanthropic arts partnership of its kind to date.

First NSW Blue Plaque installed

A Blue Plaque has been installed for the first time ever in NSW as part of the popular NSW Blue Plaques program, which recognises extraordinary people and events from our State’s history.
 
Minister for Heritage James Griffin said the Caroline Chisholm Blue Plaque in the suburb of East Maitland was the first of 21 Blue Plaques so far to be installed.
 
“Caroline Chisholm embodied the Australian spirit and was an advocate for women and immigrant families, so it’s fitting that her Blue Plaque is the first to be unveiled,” Mr Griffin said.
 
“Her tireless work towards improving conditions for countless immigrant women and families arriving in Australia is a history that we are proud to commemorate.
 
“Caroline Chisholm Cottage in East Maitland is now the permanent home for the first NSW Blue Plaque, and it’s just the first of many more sites around the state that will feature the plaques.
 
“Our $5 million Blue Plaques program is all about getting communities involved in local heritage, and recognising the extraordinary people and stories that helped shape NSW.”
 
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Taylor Martin said Caroline Chisholm Cottage is believed to be the only surviving site of her charitable works, dating back to 1842.
 
“Caroline Chisholm was an astounding person who dedicated her life to service,” Mr Martin said.
 
“After immigrating to Australia, she helped other newly arrived migrants, especially young women, and would meet every incoming ship to offer support in finding employment and housing for them.
 
“She encouraged immigrants to move inland where there were more jobs, and had employment agencies and hostels set up in rural areas right across the State, including the one now known as Caroline Chisholm Cottage on Mill Street, East Maitland.”
 
So far, 21 Blue Plaque recipients have been named, and the NSW public will be invited to nominate more noteworthy people, stories and events when a second round of nominations opens.
 
With Caroline Chisholm’s Blue Plaque now in place, the other 20 Plaques will be installed in yet to be announced locations in the coming weeks.
 
A new website that shares the stories and photos of each recipient has also been launched. To learn more, visit blueplaques.nsw.gov.au

New homes for at-risk women in Bankstown

More women at risk of homelessness have a roof over their head with tenants moving into new units in Bankstown, acquired as part of a $2.8 million investment to support vulnerable people into housing.
 
Minister for Families and Communities Natasha Maclaren-Jones said the seven dwellings were being delivered under the Community Housing Innovation Fund (CHIF) – a partnership with the community housing sector to provide more social and affordable housing.
 
“We know that stable housing is key to empowering at-risk women to improve their lives,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.
 
“It’s wonderful to see these women move into their new home, providing a life-changing space for those who need it most.”
 
Minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence, Natalie Ward, said the NSW Government had worked closely with CHIF to deliver these dwellings, which have been specifically designed to meet the needs of vulnerable women.
 
“We know that domestic and family violence is tragically one of the main causes of homelessness for women,” Mrs Ward said.
 
“Our government remains focused on breaking that cycle of family violence by investing in important initiatives like this and supporting women to overcome barriers of inequality.”
 
The CHIF offers grants to community housing providers who also co-contribute resources. The $2.8 million investment includes $2 million from the CHIF and $800,000 from the Women’s Housing Company.
 
Women’s Housing Company CEO Debbie Georgopoulos thanked the NSW Government for partnering with community housing providers to deliver solutions for people in need.
 
“When secure and affordable housing is available, this can be a game changer,” Ms Georgopoulos said. 
 
“We are very proud of our Bankstown Project, where tenants will be supported by the Women’s Housing Company to settle into the community and focus on the future.”
 
Muslim Women Australia Chief Executive Officer Maha Abdo says this announcement is a major step towards increasing the support for victim-survivors who are from multicultural and multifaith backgrounds.
 
“Our partnership with the state government is a partnership in purpose, providing hope for our diverse multicultural, multifaith community through access to stable, secure accommodation while also providing support through our unique healing framework,” said Ms Abdo.