Backflip Baillieu breaks second pledge with threats to low-paid disability workers
In a second somersault, Ted Baillieu has betrayed disability and community sector workers by threatening to cut jobs and services to meet the outcome of an equal pay case.
Before the state election, Baillieu and his community services spokesperson Mary Wooldridge promised to fully fund the outcome of the equal pay case currently before Fair Work Australia (FWA).
But in its submission this week to FWA, the Coalition Government reneged on that pledge, saying it would be unable to fund anything above the $50 million a year it has set aside without cuts to staffing numbers or hours.
In opposition, Ms Wooldridge said in a speech to the Victorian Council of Social Services: ''We've been very clear: we'll be making financial commitments in our policies in relation to supporting that claim and if it's more than that, then we will be funding and supporting it.''
The backflip comes just days after the Premier reneged on a promise to make Victorian teachers the highest paid in the country.
AEU branch president Mary Bluett said: "Mary Wooldridge had made her position crystal clear — they would fund the outcome.
"Our members in disability work with some of the most disadvantage and disabled adults in Victoria. They perform an enormous service to the community, often at personal risk, and yet are some of the lowest paid workers in the state.
"If Fair Work Australia says these workers deserve more, then the Government has a responsibility to fund it in full. Disability services are already stretched and underfunded and will have no ability to bridge the gap."
She added: "To threaten cuts to staff or hours when the service already has difficulty attracting and retaining trainers makes no sense."
Find out more about the equal pay case and the AEU's Wake Up & Pay Up campaign.
