Shadow Workplace Relations Minister Michelle O’Byrne has welcomed the Hodgman Government today finally scrapping its long held unfair and unreasonable two per cent wage cap.
But Ms O’Byrne said even in light of Treasurer Peter Gutwein’s humiliating backdown, the government was still asking thousands of critical frontline public sector workers to take a pay cut.
“With inflation is going up by three per cent, even after the Treasurer’s embarrassing back-down he is still asking nurses, teachers, child safety officers, park rangers and paramedics to take a real pay cut,” Ms O’Byrne said.
“But he is still not listening to workers and the Hodgman Government is still not listening to the community.
“On Monday Mr Gutwein said ‘Tasmania has never been such a good place to live, work and invest than it is today’.
“By asking hard working people providing essential services to Tasmanians to take a pay cut Mr Gutwein is either lying or has his head stuck in the Liberal bubble.
“He’s also unfairly asking workers to trade off conditions to get the wage increase and sending an appalling message to the private sector.
“Premier Hodgman must sit down with the unions representing thousands of frontline workers and come up with a deal that respects and values those workers.
“What is clear today is that after weeks of scandal engulfing the government and the resignation of two Members of Parliament, Premier Hodgman has overruled his Treasurer.
“This is truly humiliating for Treasurer Gutwein and his relationship with the Premier is worse than ever.”
Michelle O’Byrne MP
Shadow Workplace Relations Minister
