SENATOR DEAN SMITH
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMPETITION, CHARITIES AND TREASURY
SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA
MEDIA RELEASE
5 July 2024
WIN FOR CHARITIES AS LABOR FORCED TO COMMIT TO IR ACTION
The Australian charity sector is celebrating after a Coalition motion in the Senate put an end to Labor ignoring its concerns.
A motion brought by Senator Dean Smith would’ve seen the Standing Committee on Education and Employment probe the harmful impacts of the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs Better Pay) Act 2022 on the operation of charities and non-profits.
But the threat of the public inquiry was enough to force the Albanese Government’s hand.
The office of Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke providing a written commitment to engage with the sector on the issue only hours before the motion came to a vote.
Part of this commitment was then read out by Senator Katie Gallagher in the Senate chamber.
Peak bodies, including the Community Council of Australia and its members, have been working closely with the Coalition on this urgent matter.
Contrast this with a complete lack of action from Labor and Assistant Charities Minister Andrew Leigh.
The sector’s concerns stem from a requirement in Labor’s legislation that staff employed on two consecutive casual contracts must then be employed on a permanent basis.
This requirement is incompatible with the funding arrangements for most charities and non-profits, which operates year to year, and would place them in an impossible position moving forward.
It comes as Australian charities work in overdrive to meet record demand, supporting communities impacted by the Albanese Government’s dual cost of living and cost of doing business crises.
Senator Smith said that it was appalling Labor had refused to genuinely work with the sector until it was forced to.
“Labor had made zero meaningful effort to address these very real and very urgent problems with its legislation,” he said.
“It’s especially shocking given the sector is currently doing the Government’s heavy lifting for it.”
“Fortunately, the power of the Senate is not to be underestimated and the Coalition was able to force Labor to the table.”
And Senator Smith made clear that the threat of an inquiry still hangs over Labor’s head.
“Andrew Leigh, Tony Burke, Katy Gallagher, are all on notice.”
“If this matter isn’t resolved to the satisfaction of the charity and non-profit sector by the time Parliament sits again in August, I will bring the motion again.”
ENDS