SHADOW MINISTER FOR EMPLOYMENT AND WORKPLACE RELATIONS

DEPUTY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE

SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash

23 NOVEMBER 2022

TONY BURKE’S DEPARTMENT’S $5000 ERROR HITS AUSSIE BUSINESSES

A basic calculation error by Tony Burke’s Department of Employment and Workplace Relations means the bargaining costs for businesses under the Government’s radical industrial relations Bill will be more than $5000 higher than documented.[1]

The error in the Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) means that medium sized businesses will actually pay over $80,000 when roped into multi-employer bargaining rather than the $75,148 figure quoted in the document.

“This is a further hit to Aussie businesses that many will not be able to afford,’’ Senator Cash said.

“Businesses with as few as 16 employees could pay $80,000 when they are forced into multi-employer bargaining,’’ she said.

“Tony Burke should stand up and take responsibility for this error rather than throw his Department under the bus,’’ Senator Cash said.

“You’ve got to ask what other errors are contained in this rushed legislation – how can we trust anything this Government has prepared,’’ she said.

It was also revealed today the RIS relied on an article entitled “How much do payroll services cost” on a website called bark.com[2].

That website lists its most popular services as dog and pet grooming, dog training, dog walking, life coaching, limousine hire, magicians and private investigators.

“I think the Australian people would expect the Government to be able to get its information in relation to such a critical Bill from more appropriate sources than bark.com,’’ Senator Cash said.

ENDS

[1] Regulatory Impact Statement, page 52, incorrectly says $273,700 divided by 15.2 is $12,878, when it is in fact $18,006

[2] Regulatory Impact Statement, page 46, links to https://www.bark.com/en/au/pay…