He was supposed to be the human face of the thousands of weekend workers affected by the cut in Sunday penalty rates.

"My name is Trent Hunter. I am a retail worker," the young man standing beside Bill Shorten told media at the Opposition Leader's Sydney press conference on Thursday afternoon.

"I rely on Sunday penalty rates. I am rostered on every single Sunday. I will now lose $109 a week."

Except he won't lose a cent, according to his employer.