By JOLENE OGLE
IN a bid to raise employment rates and reduce the strain on local business, South Australia has abolished Saturday penalty rates.
The change is part of a landmark agreement between the Shop Distributive and Allies Employees’ Association (SDA) and Business SA, and also includes the halving of Sunday penalty rates and in return, permanent staff can choose not to work on Sundays or public holidays.
The agreement is currently voluntary for both employers and employees, but Cooroy Chamber of Commerce president Danielle Taylor said penalty rates were always a “topical” issue for business owners, with some employers forced to reduce their operating hours to remain profitable.
“This not only reduces employee income but also negatively impacts the customer,” she said.
“The South Australian model is interesting because it aims to help both employees and employers. It will be interesting to see how it develops and whether something similar can be implemented in Queensland.”
CCIQ Noosa said they are hopeful weekend penalty rates reform will come to Queensland.
CCIQ Noosa president Sarah Fisher said CCIQ had contacted the SDA Queensland branch to see if it would support Queensland business using the template enterprise agreement here.
“We hope they respond favourably,” she said. “The South Australian agreement has paved the way for an easier change at a time when Noosa and Sunshine Coast small businesses need to see penalty rate reform.
“This agreement shows that when it comes to penalty rates, workers and employers can find a middle ground that allows businesses to offer increased employment opportunities.”
Ms Fisher said it was pleasing to see the SDA South Australian Branch agree to a practical solution that benefited their local economy.
“Hopefully we can have these discussions here,” she said.
“This deal provides a workable example for other employers and unions across the country keen to overcome the barrier to growth posed by penalty rates. We are hopeful agreements like this can flow in to our own unique state.”
Ms Fisher said she also recently attended the CCIQ Thought Leadership Dinner in Maroochydore, in which Sunshine Coast business leaders discussed the Productivity Commission’s ongoing inquiry into the workplace relations framework and how SMEs can deal with the challenges of the Federal Government’s Fair Work Act.
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