Page 103 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 13 February 2019
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Today I stand to talk not just about supporting the local jobs code. I would actually like to talk about something that is very close to my heart and to the hearts of many members on this side of the chamber. I want to talk about all those workers who gave up spending their time with family and friends over the Christmas period. This motion has three parts to it. Yes, I am calling on the government to continue to implement the local jobs code. But it is also really important that the government pass on the thanks of this Assembly to ACT government employees who worked unsociable hours over the summer break so we could enjoy our lifestyle.
Madam Speaker, I love Canberra; I love it for its lifestyle; I love it for being my home. But I also love it for its quirks. One of those, of course, is that so many of our workers are public servants in executive roles. This is the city of EL1s. Yes, Mr Barr has done an excellent job promoting business and diversifying our economy, but the federal government remains the biggest show in town. The way things are going, maybe we should get them a big top.
The dominant group of workers, much as happens in this building, traditionally take a break over summer, be that the week-long shut down in our building or the longer holiday taken by many. And it is a well-deserved break too. Long fought for and won leave conditions are a right for all Australians, a right that the casualisation of our workforce has undermined. This city has always had another group of workers, not as prominent, not as numerous and, sadly, not as recognised. Today I ask this Assembly to take a little time to recognise our essential services workers and all those who do not get to take a mid-summer break.
When I was growing up, I knew all about it. Unlike many kids, I had a dad who was not always home for Christmas or new year. He was a firefighter. Over the Christmas and new year just gone, thousands of local families had that same experience. One parent or another was working, caring for the rest of us, rather than celebrating with friends and family. For employees of the ACT and those bits of the federal industrial relations system that are not broken, they also got penalty rates. Whilst a few extra dollars in the pocket is nice, it does not get Christmas back with your kids.
Madam Speaker, let us add a thank you as well, a thank you to the firefighters, the ambos, the cops, the doctors, the nurses, the health workers and all our first responders who worked tirelessly though the break. I add a thank you to the bus drivers, the garbos, the traffic controllers, the on-call sparkies and plumbers, the security guards, the cleaners and the hairdressers who made us look so good for our Christmas parties. Your jobs are not always glamorous, but your contribution to the health and wellbeing of our community is just as great.
Thank you also to the retail workers, the bar staff, the theatre ushers, the pool lifeguards and all the other hospitality and retail workers who make life nicer for the rest of us, particularly over our lovely summer holidays. Also, thanks to those skeleton staff who kept offices open whilst others travelled or holidayed with family at home. You brought joy to others and I hope that brought joy to you.
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