The National Retailers Association (NRA) has spoken out against the Labor Party's recent private members bill, which is set to block the Fair Work Commission’s (FWC) reduction in Sunday penalty rates.
Labelling the bill as a dangerous precedent for all independent ruling bodies across the nation, NRA CEO Dominique Lamb said the bill could undermine the independence of the industrial relations system.
“The Commission was created by the Labor Party so that the industrial relations system would be fair, equitable, and free from political interest.
"“And yet, it’s now shaping up to be an election issue, amid a worrying campaign designed to undermine the FWC’s purpose and due process, not to mention the three years of submissions, hearings and deliberations it took to come to this decision."
While Lamb said the NRA expected the issue to be politicised, the introduction of a bill such as this takes the issue "far beyond mere political rhetoric."
The NRA has also said reduction to Sunday penalty rates in retail is an important step toward relieving the growing concern around underemployment and will allow for a high rate of permanent employment within the SME sector.
“Small business owners who have to cover Sunday shifts themselves because they can’t afford to pay double time to workers, workers who want shifts, aren’t exactly able to create jobs are they?
“If we make it feasible for them to employ others on a Sunday, we create shifts for Australians, and allow small to medium businesses to grow, and in turn, create more jobs."