***** CAMPAIGN LAUNCH AND PRESS CONFERENCE, BRISBANE *****

The union representing workers from industries including hospitality, aged care, security and manufacturing has today launched a massive, multi-million dollar campaign against the Liberal-National Government’s cuts to penalty rates.





For broadcast quality footage and high-res images, please visit the Multimedia News Release: http://news.medianet.com.au/united-voice/union-wages-war-coalition-penalty-rate



From today, the United Voice campaign will run nationally across TV, radio, print and online media, and will be reinforced on the ground by coordinated national actions, door knocking and phone calls to sway voters in target seats.



The campaign highlights Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the Coalition government’s terrible record on penalty rates, with the ads asking voters to consider ‘who is next’ in the spotlight for penalty rate cuts.

United Voice National Secretary Jo-anne Schofield says Mr Morrison needs to realise that millions of Australian families rely on penalty rates, “Scott Morrison and the Liberal-National Government have already cut penalty rates for hundreds of thousands of retail and hospitality workers.



“Now, Scott Morrison, his government and greedy business groups are looking at who is next. Everyone who gets paid extra for working evenings, nights, weekends or public holidays stands to lose. No one’s penalty rates are safe under a Morrison Coalition Government.

“We will be out there talking to voters in target seats every day from now until the election about the Morrison Government’s atrocious record on penalty rates. Scott Morrison has voted eight times already to cut penalty rates, he can’t be trusted.



“Only Labor will restore and protect penalty rates. Our ads will be reminding people that a vote for Labor is a vote for the millions of Australians who rely on penalty rates.



“Voters have a clear choice at the upcoming Federal election – a vote for more cuts under the Coalition, or a vote for Labor to restore and protect penalty rates.”



Just this month United Voice defeated a years-long attempt to cut penalty rates for 42,000 clubs workers.



“Working people shouldn’t be forced through expensive, drawn out court battles just to stay afloat and avoid a pay cut,” Ms Schofield said.



The campaign is being launched in the marginal electorate of Dickson, in northern Brisbane, where the Liberal Party’s Peter Dutton holds the seat by less than 2 per cent .



T he TV ads warn, “Millions of Australians rely on penalty rates to make ends meet. The Liberals and Nationals voted to cut the penalty rates of hospitality and retail workers. Now they’re looking at whose penalty rates they’re cutting next. Will it be health workers and nurses? Their penalty rates make up to 20% of their income. Or will it be manufacturing workers? Or emergency workers? Or will it be you?”



ENDS

Media queries: Elisabeth Bowdler,

0425 242 691,

***INTERVIEW & PHOTO OPPORTUNITY, BRISBANE, TODAY***

National penalty rate campaign & ad launched in Peter Dutton’s electorate of Dickson

When: 1:00pm (AEST)/2:00pm (AEDT) Sunday 31 March 2019

What: Press conference with Jo-anne Schofield, National Secretary, United Voice and worker who relies on penalty rates. Presser visuals of workers watching penalty rate ad, sea of character cut outs from the ad representing the millions of Australians who rely on penalty rates & dozens of workers and supporters donning penalty rates shirts and signs, mobilising to knock on electorate doors.

Where: Outside The Hills District Community Centre, 291 Dawson Parade, Arana Hills, Brisbane

Location contact: Neva Woolmer, United Voice Queensland Branch, 0438 280 611

Authorised by Jo-anne Schofield, National Secretary, United Voice