Protection for workers should be paramount in protest debate

Tasmanian Labor

Labor supports the right to protest but not when it places workers at risk.

Labor has sought to amend the Rockliff-Ferguson Government’s so-called Workplace Protections Bill to remove public annoyance provisions and include protections for workers engaged in industrial action, disputes or campaigns.

Disgracefully, last night, the government again used its numbers to unnecessarily guillotine the debate on this significant issue.

Labor will continue to pursue its amendments in the Legislative Council where the Rockliff-Ferguson Government can’t shut down debate.

Labor have made it clear that protection for industrial activity by workers and unions is non‑negotiable.

Additionally the public annoyance provisions are a complete overreach and have nothing to do with the stated intent of the Bill which is to keep workers safe in their workplace.

Labor will always fight for the rights of all workers to a safe workplace and will support provisions that protect workers put at risk by radical green protests.

After six years of Minister Barnett using worker’s safety in a political game it is time that the government actually took action to improve protection for workers.

Sarah Lovell

Shadow Minister for Workplace Relations

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