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12 March 2010

Noting the conspicuous absence of Senator Eric Abetz on the campaign trail in the Tasmanian state election, Rights at Work campaigners today brought Will Hodgman face to face with an outsized version of Senator Abetz.

The Eric Abetz impersonator features large and often amusing signs reading:

• "Just pretend I'm not here Will",
  
• "Don't mention WorkChoices" and
  
• "Eric's the name. WorkChoices is the policy."

Libs want to re-introduce WorkChoice regime

Eric Abetz, shadow Federal Workplace Relations Minister, has made it clear that a Federal Liberal government would reintroduce many of the key planks of the WorkChoices regime including:

• removal of protection from unfair dismissal,
• slashing penalty rates for shift work, and
• forced individual contracts.

Will Hodgman ducking for cover on work laws

Will Hodgman has refused to say whether he will support the Abetz plans and the Tasmanian Liberals go into the last days of the campaign with no industrial relations policy.

Under the terms of the legislation that refers Tasmanian workers into the federal IR system the Tasmanian government has to be consulted and consent to any fundamental changes to the Fair Work Act, especially changes allowing a reintroduction of Workchoices style policies.

In a recent letter to Unions Tasmania Will Hodgman stated: "We have no plans to make any changes to the new regime . . ."

Extreme right-winger Abetz told to keep low profile during election campaign

However it is publicly and clearly known that Tony Abbott and Eric Abetz do have plans and that a future Liberal state government would have the final say as to whether those plans become reality.

Secretary of Unions Tasmania, Simon Cocker said: "The extreme, right wing, Eric Abetz has clearly been told to keep a low profile during the election campaign so we thought this was a unique and entertaining way to remind Tasmanians what the Liberal Party really stands for: WorkChoices."

Eight days to voting day and Libs have not released workplace policy

 "Eight days before the state election the Tasmanian Liberals still have not released an industrial relations policy. This is not good enough."

"Does Will Hodgman support the hard line policies of Tony Abbott and Eric Abetz or will he stand up for Tasmanian workers?"

Senator Abetz has WorkChoices on life-support

"We know the Liberals, under Senator Abetz, have WorkChoices on life-support and are talking about reintroducing the key measures such as removing unfair dismissal protection, forced individual contracts and slashing penalty rates.

" Tasmanian workers are entitled to know if Mr Hodgman supports these
measures."

Will Mr Hodgman protect Tasmanian workers?

"Mr Hodgman knows, or should know, that under the terms of the referral of state powers to the Commonwealth the Fair Work Act cannot be changed without the State's agreement.

" Mr Hodgman can act to protect Tasmanian workers and they are entitled to know if he will or not."

"Trying to slip through the election without a policy on these matters is not acceptable and we will continue to highlight the shortfall and the connection with Sentor Abetz," said Mr Cocker.