29 November 2006 - Media Release

Serco Sodexho and the real story about Work Choices

Since Serco Sodexho took over the multi-million dollar Canberra Defence services contract, workers at Canberra's Defence establishments have felt the full force of the Howard Government's Work Choices legislation.

Local cleaners were set to have their wages slashed when Serco Sodexho took over the Canberra Defence cleaning contract on 1st October 2006. With the support of their union the cleaners were able to protect their pay, but are still being refused a collective agreement despite an overwhelming majority asking for one.

“I wanted the protection of a collective agreement but was denied this. I was not prepared to sign and AWA and as a result lost my job,” said Pasquale Ursino. "I will be attending tomorrow’s rally to protest against the new laws that gave me no say in my working conditions and in the end gave me no choice but to leave my job at Duntroon”

Garrison support workers across Australia have also lost important conditions under Serco Sodexho's AWAs. Munition and store-workers now have no guarantee of wage increases and have lost their normal span of hours.  Some have had their wages slashed too.

"This is a classic example of what can happen under Work Choices. Despite the concerted efforts of the NUW these workers have still lost significant working conditions. We are still fighting for a collective agreement," Doug Stevens, National President of the National Union of Workers, said today.

Senator Lundy has met with many of the Serco Sodexho employees whose rights have been eroded under their new AWAs. "While the Howard Government insists its new laws offer workers more choices, the only choice local cleaners and garrison support staff employed by Serco Sodexho have had is to sign an AWA or lose their job" Senator Lundy said.  

“I encourage everyone to attend the National Day of Action on November 30 to help protect the rights of all workers. Even if you don’t think these changes will affect you directly, they will affect your children and grandchildren. We must not pass on a system that gives our children worse pay and conditions than we have had”, Senator Lundy concluded.

Pasquale Ursino can be contacted for comment through Lyndal Ryan (LHMU)

Contact: Rachel Allen - 0418 488 295 or 02 6277 3334 (Lundy)
Lyndal Ryan – 0411 643 982 or 02 6120 1202 (LHMU)
Di Lloyd – 0401 548 340 (NUW)

 28 November 2006 - Media Release

Work Choices: Bad for workers, bad for small business too

Senator Lundy has today called on local employers to allow their employees to attend the National Day of Action on November 30 at Manuka Oval.

"The Howard Government's Work Choices legislation is not only bad for workers, but it is bad for local small businesses too", Senator Lundy said today.

While much of the focus has been on what workers stand to lose under Work Choices, small businesses are also having to deal with the effects that the Government's convoluted new workplace laws are having on their businesses. 

Small business owner and independent member of Queanbeyan Council, Steve Taskovski said "The complexity and prescriptive nature of Work Choices makes understanding these new laws almost impossible for many small businesses".

"Most small business owners want to do the right thing by their employees, but in some cases this legislation penalises employers who are trying to provide their staff with fair pay and conditions". Mr. Taskovski said.

"I trust my employees and want them to have security in their employment, however the Work Choices legislation prevents me including an unfair dismissal clause in our workplace agreements. In fact, under the legislation I could be fined up to $33,000 for doing so!" Mr. Taskovski said.

"I believe that most responsible small business owners respect their employees and want to provide fair and reasonable conditions. Unfortunately, AWA's force employers to pit worker against worker, inevitably lowering wages and undermining conditions and the Howard Government's 'prohibited content' laws mean employers and employees can't agree on the most suitable arrangements for their business", Senator Lundy said.

"We need to send a clear message to the Howard Government that these laws are not in the best interests of Australian workers or employers. I encourage small business owners to allow their employees to attend this important event and urge them to consider coming themselves" Senator Lundy concluded.

Attached is information provided by the Office of the Employment Advocate (OEA) regarding prohibited content.

Contact: Rachel Allen – 0418 488 295 (Lundy)
Steve Taskovski – 0418 611 044

 27 November 2006 – Media Release

Electoral Enrolment Changes are Coming

Senator Kate Lundy, Bob McMullan, Member for Fraser, and Annette Ellis, Member for Canberra, are today reminding Canberrans to make sure they are correctly enrolled on the ACT electoral roll before changes to the Commonwealth Electoral Act commence early in the new year.

Under the new rules, 10,359 electors could have lost their right to vote in the electorates of Canberra and Fraser in the last election. The changes mean that new electors will only have until 8pm on the day the writs are issued to apply to go on the roll and those seeking to change their details will only have three days. The changes also include new, more stringent proof of identity requirements which could make it more difficult for those who are new to an area to verify their enrolment.

Senator Lundy said that since the beginning of October she and her ACT Labor colleagues have been holding a series of enrolment stalls across the ACT. Stalls have been held at the ANU and Canberra University as well as at public functions such as the Eid Mela celebrations and various shopping centres.

Senator Lundy said, “The stalls have particularly targeted young people who may not yet be on the electoral roll as they will have such a limited opportunity to register once the election has been called.”

Annette Ellis, Member for Canberra, has attended a series of stalls at shopping centres throughout the south of Canberra. Ms Ellis said, “Many shoppers have told me they are appalled that these changes have been made and query the need for them. They are particularly concerned to ensure that their details and those of other family members are up to date, as they know they may lose their vote at the next election if their details have not been changed in time.”

Bob McMullan, Member for Fraser, has also attended shopping centre stalls in his electorate. Mr McMullan said that people he has spoken to are concerned about the new proof of identity requirements which could discriminate against new citizens or people who have just moved to a new electorate and may not know anyone eligible to sign their enrolment form.

The three federal members will continue to hold enrolment information stalls over the coming weeks to encourage people to get on the roll and to update their details before the end of the year. The next stalls will be on Saturday 2 December at Erindale and Garema Place and Friday 8 December in Civic.

Contact:: Rachel Allen for Senator Kate Lundy on 0418 488 295
Victoria Toulkidis for Annette Ellis on 6277 4372
Margaret Watt for Bob McMullan on 0438 271 749

23 November 2006 - Media Release

Survey results: Gungahlin residents still waiting for Broadband

A recent survey of Gungahlin residents has found that of the residents using dial-up internet, 85% wanted broadband but were unable to get it.

Disturbingly, of the 182 detailed respondents, 28% of residents have tried to get broadband but were unsuccessful, and 21% are on waiting lists. Many residents reported that they have been waiting for more than 6 months!

A staggering 57% of respondents said that they would not purchase a new residence in the area without a guarantee of a future-proof broadband connection. 

This survey was launched in August and was the initiative of Ewan Brown of the Small Enterprise Telecommunications Centre (SETEL), and supported by the Gungahlin Community Council (GCC). It was necessary because of the ongoing frustrations of many Gungahlin residents unable to get affordable, high quality broadband services.

ACT Labor Senator Kate Lundy started the national campaign against Telstra’s use of line-splitting (pair gain) technology, which blocks or inhibits broadband services who over 5 years ago. “It is outrageous that there is still such a poor fixed line service in most of Gungahlin. A new network is required and I urge companies to consider making that investment.

“The survey shows that there are still far too many residents in Gungahlin who are missing out on broadband technology. I am particularly concerned that the high number of home-based businesses and small businesses located in Gungahlin are at such a disadvantage if they can’t get broadband.”

Unfortunately, Gungahlin residents in the older suburbs are missing out on the latest broadband technology because of 10 years of Howard Government infrastructure complacency allowed Telstra to install technology on the cheap that did not support broadband.

Under the Howard government, Australia is now ranked a mere 17 out of 30 of countries surveyed by the OECD on high-speed internet take-up.

While Canberra generally fares better than most regional towns and cities in broadband connectivity, it is still a major problems in places such as the older suburbs of Gungahlin, Dunlop, and some areas serviced by the Civic Exchange.

A future federal Labor Government is committed to ensuring that all Australians will be able to enjoy access to an affordable genuine broadband telecommunications service.

Contact: Rachel Allen – 0418 488 295 (Lundy)

9 November 2006 - Media Release

Howard Government Attacks Canberra's Best Loved Buildings

The Federal Liberal Government wants to remove heritage protection from some of Canberra's best loved buildings.

Under the Governments regressive Environment and Heritage Legislation Amendment Bill 2006, the Register of the National Estate will be dismantled. This will leave some of Canberra's most iconic buildings without adequate protection.

Buildings put under threat by this legislation include Albert Hall, St Johns Church in Reid, Hotel Kurrajong, the Duntroon Dairy, Yarralumla Woolshed and the Hotel Acton.

Labor will be moving substantial amendments to this legislation, including maintaining the integrity of the Register of the National Estate.

"It is a disgrace that the Federal Government is putting some of Canberra's most important buildings under threat" Senator Lundy said.

"If Labor's amendments are not accepted, Labor will be opposing this Bill."

"The Federal Government is planning to undermine national heritage icons. I call on the Howard Government to stop these attacks on Canberra's heritage."

Contact: Rachel Allen – 0418 488 295 (Lundy)