Independent Contractors Bill Passed
The Independent Contractors Act was passed through the Senate on Friday 1st December with exemptions for NSW and Vic Owner Drivers.
This astounding success represents a hard fought campaign by TWU members and their families.
There will be a National review into owner-driver laws in 2007.
Keep up the fight!
The Independent Contractors Bill passed the House of Reps at 9:56 am Wednesday 13 September.
As a result of TWU lobbying and action the provisions (see provisions) made for owner drivers in NSW and Victoria have been maintained and their jobs are now safe.
Please see the following statements from Parliamentarians and Senators, who have supported the efforts of owner drivers.
Comments made during debate:
Sharon Bird ALP – Hansard 11/9/06
“it is clear that owner-drivers … did wage a successful campaign to convince the government to place a clause in this bill. Indeed, I am sure that is the many other people affected by the bill had the capacity to drive large rigs around Parliament House and draw such visual attention to their concerns they might have got a fairer treatment too.”
Phil Barresi Lib – Hansard 11/9/06
“…we did recive major representation from owner-drivers in NSW. They all turned up and they all gave their case. So what we have here is a bill which does not seek to override these protections…
…we would prefer a situation where all owner-drivers were treated the same way across this country…”
Joel Fitzgibbon ALP – Hansard 11/9/06
“you only need to go to the very good submission of the transport workers union..
Macarthur Lib – Hansard 11/9/06
“there are particular arrangements in place for owner-drivers (in NSW)… the government’s proposed review of these state provisios will ensure that there are no unintended consequences for these owner-drivers.”
Chris Bowen ALP – Hansard 11/9/06
“I congratulate the Transport Workers Union for negotiating this concession. I attended a briefing which they put on in this place last year… members from both sides came to the briefing. It was a very moving presentation in which owner drivers begged to be allowed to have their union continue to represent them… the government has wilted under the pressure from the TWU and owner-drivers…”
Brendan O’Connor ALP – Hansard 11/9/06
“…the government were fearful of the successful campaign of the transport workers union. They were fearful of this parliament having thousands of (TWU) members attending a rally that would have occurred in the even that the government chose to exclude them also..
…clearly the government has chosen not to get into a fight with what is a very effective union…
…the exceptions (the government has) made were purely because they believe that part of the workforce…are so well organised that they would find themselves getting into some grief from the TWU – and I say good luck to the TWU. Clearly they have placed enough pressure on the commonwealth for them to accede to some of the demands they made of them. “
Justine Elliott ALP – Hansard 11/9/06
“..due in large to the very effective campaign by the (TWU), who fought so vigorously on behalf of their members – and I certainly congratulate them on how effectively they fought – against this legislation, owner-drivers in NSW and Vic have been exempted from this legislation.”
Craig Emerson ALP – Hansard 11/9/06
“..that exemption is a result of the hard work and determination of the (TWU) to secure an exemption from this legislation..
…this government was very apprehensive about what the (TWU) might be able to achive if it took another course of action..
Gavan O’Connor ALP – Hansard 11/9/06
“the transport industry is one where the TWU…have had to fight very very hard to get some decent operating standards and conditions and to maintain them..”
Jill Hall ALP – Hansard 11/9/06
“I think the evidence the committee received from those workers – those owner drivers – was some of the best evidence that has ever been presented to a committee of this parliament..
Kate Ellis ALP – Hansard 11/9/06
“the (TWU) have run a very effective campaign to represent their members…I note as a result of the (TWU) campaign owner-drivers in NSW and Vic will maintain: a critical system of safe and sustainable rates, without which driver and public safety would be threatened.”
Tony Burke ALP – Hansard 11/9/06
“..if you ever wanted an argument for the power of trade unions, if you ever wanted an argument for trade unions being able to deliver a result…
Comments received via email
Brendan O’Connor –
…Congratulations on an effective campaign. Pass on my congratulations to Tony and the crew at the TWU! Now all we gotta do is win the big one and get rid these pernicious laws.
Brendan
nb. if you have to have the trucks on the lawn i'm there!!
Julie Owens -
I've just spoken …. about owner drivers - and the extraordinary work that unions had done in finding ways to represent their dependent contractor members…
Craig Emerson –
I'm happy to continue representing the interest of the TWU in the parliament and outside…
Sharon Grierson –
…it has been a pleasure to represent owner-drivers who have extended great courtesy to me in sharing their experiences locally. Keep fighting for them - I will.
Kirsten Livermore –
The TWU has done a great job on this campaign on behalf of your members.
Tony Burke –
Thanks the chance to be involved during the lead up to the vote on this Bill.
21 September 2006
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PROTECTING AUSSIE JOBS 
