In response to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s comments today on weekend rates, Greens spokesperson on industrial relations Adam Bandt MP today said that it will only be a “seven day economy” when Parliament regularly sits on weekends.

“I’ll believe that Saturday and Sunday no longer deserve the same special treatment when Parliament regularly sits on weekends,” Mr Bandt said.

“A ‘seven day economy’ doesn’t mean a seven day working week. The important parts of the weekend should be preserved and if you have to work, you should be paid properly for it.”

Greens workplace relations spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today said that weekend rates are a right, not a privilege for private school fees, and Labor linking the two is a losing strategy.

“Forget about private school, without weekend rates many people couldn’t pay the rent,” Mr Bandt said.

“With youth allowance so low and housing costs so high, many young people rely on weekend and penalty rates to pay the rent, stay in study and have enough to eat.”

Greens industrial relations spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today called on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to ditch the industrial relations bills the government has been trying to get through the Senate. The Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment Bill 2014 and the Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Bill 2013 have both been rejected by the Senate and the Fair Work Amendment Bill 2014 is currently before the Senate.

Lines attributable to Adam Bandt MP:

Greens industrial relations spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today welcomed news that the Senate Inquiry into temporary work visa programmes has agreed to the Greens’ call to host a special hearing into reports of worker exploitation by 7-Eleven.

“Over the last week, we have heard more and more reports about the rampant exploitation of 7-Eleven workers across the country,” Mr Bandt said.

Greens industrial relations spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today called on the Prime Minister to terminate the Trade Union Royal Commission following Dyson Heydon’s decision to stay on as the head of the TURC. Mr Bandt said that if the Prime Minister insists on continuing an inquiry, he must open up any new appointment and terms of reference to the Parliament.

“Agreeing to attend a Liberal fundraiser doesn’t pass the pub test. The Commissioner deciding himself that he’s not biased won’t change that,” Mr Bandt said.

Greens Member for Melbourne and industrial relations spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today said the government is on a hiding to nothing after the Senate’s rejection of two key parts of its industrial relations agenda yesterday. The Senate voted down the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment Bill 2014 for a second time and the Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Bill 2013.

“The Senate is standing up for democracy and saying we won’t have separate penalties for unions and fewer rights for people who work in the construction industry,” Mr Bandt said.

Greens Member for Melbourne and industrial relations spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today said the Senate had stood up for democracy by voting down the bill to re-establish the ABCC.

“Today the Senate stood up for democracy and the rule of law and rejected the government’s push to re-establish the ABCC,” Mr Bandt said.

“They Senate has made it clear that people won’t have fewer rights at work just because of the industry they work in.”

Greens industrial relations spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today supported the Woolworths Laverton workers taking action and said this dispute adds further weight for the government to amend the Fair Work Act.

“In an economy where the unemployment rate is high and people are facing an uncertain future for their jobs, I can understand the stress and anxiety these workers are feeling,” Mr Bandt said.

“They and their families are depending on secure work for their livelihoods and it’s no wonder they are taking action to stand up for their jobs.”

Greens Industrial Relations spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today said the Greens supported the 97 Hutchison Ports Australia employees who were dismissed late at night by text message and email. Mr Bandt will today give notice of a motion in the House of Representatives that calls on the government to amend the Fair Work Act so that unfair actions from employers in the future do not require the Fair Work Commission to issue orders against employees.

“The Greens stand in support of the 97 people who have been dismissed by Hutchison Ports Australia,” Mr Bandt said.

Responding to news that up to 100 shipbuilding jobs based in Williamstown could be lost, Greens industry spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today said Tony Abbott's 'jobs and growth' sloganeering had nothing to offer Victoria.

Mr Bandt called on the Prime Minister to implement the Greens' housing and construction-led industry plan to address the nation's rising unemployment and create jobs in Victoria and across the south-eastern states.

"Tony Abbott has an empty 'jobs and growth' slogan that offers nothing for Victoria," Mr Bandt said.