Fair workplaces

Half our lives are spent at work—therefore, we have a right to feel valued, safe and secure within our work environment. The Howard Government's changes to the IR laws, and the introduction of WorkChoices have put all the power into the hands of employers. We need to re-establish safeguards against exploitation and bullying in the workplace. Not only is WorkChoices an issue for all of us, it is especially of concern in relation to young people as they are extremely vulnerable due to their inexperience. Many young workers have limited knowledge of their rights, and few are fully aware of what responsibilities and obligations an employer has to their employees.

Individuals on welfare are also at risk. They have the potential to be breached if they do not accept employment and this makes them vulnerable to unfair and unjust work environments. While the welfare and IR changes have supplied the government with reduced unemployment figures, these results are achieved at a great social cost.

As a Senator I would work with other members of parliament with the aims of

• establishing safe, fair, and just workplaces
• initiating a reassessment of the welfare system, and working to stop its systematic elimination
• creating a fair and just welfare system
• reassessing work for the dole and the private agencies who are currently job providers. Currently, the system rewards providers for placing long-term unemployed, rather than offering serious assistance to new unemployed—and therefore perpetuates a growing number of long-term unemployed
• introducing a reduction and cap on politicians' wages, and the introduction of a community performance review mid-term for all politicians. I would suggest that all politicians donate 10% of their current wage towards a rescue package for the River Murray and other Australian rivers.

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