Saffin confirms Government commitment to Equal Pay

Page MP Janelle Saffin has hit back at allegations that the Government has reneged on its
commitment to pay equity for women.

Ms Saffin said her commitment to pay equity is rock solid, as is the commitment of the Gillard
Government.

“When I signed the pledge to pursue pay equity for women, I also assured local community sector
workers and ASU members that I would work to fight for the money to be found, if the case is
successful.

“There are two key issues in this debate.

“The first is fighting for and hopefully winning the pay equity case, and it was the Australian Labor
Government that changed the Fair Work Act and broadened the equal pay provisions so that the
Australian Services Union could mount the pay equity case.

“The second is if the decision comes down the way we want it to, in favour of pay equity for our
lowest paid workers in the community sector, we have to find a way to fund this.

“Labor’s commitment to pay equity is just and fair, and aimed at increasing the participation rate of
women in the workforce.

“It is clear from the Australian Government’s submission to Fair Work Australia that it is committed to
pay equity, that it acknowledges the vital role of the social and community service sector and
recognises that much of the work in the community sector is undervalued.

“The submission spells out the Government’s commitment to working through the funding
implications of any increase in wages, along with the affected unions, employers in the Social and
Community Services sector and the States and Territories.

“There is no backing off or weakening as has been said, and what we have to do now is all join forces
to ensure that the money can be found. That is why the ASU agreed to phase in any additional
funding. To characterise this debate any differently is just not right.

“Of course there will be costs involved in any pay equity case, and it would be irresponsible of the
Government not to acknowledge that these costs..

“The heads of agreement between the Commonwealth Government and the ASU clearly recognises
that any resulting pay rises will have significant financial implications for the Commonwealth and the
States.
“That is why the agreement includes a gradual phasing in of any such wage increase, taking into
account the capacity of the Commonwealth and state governments to meet the significant cost
increases.

“I can assure the workers in the community sector and local union members that I am committed to
both, winning the pay equity and winning the funds to flow for such.”

23 November, 2010

Media contact: Lee Duncan 0448 158 150