Hinch changes tune on penalty rates

A growing number of crossbench senators are voicing their opposition to penalty rate cuts, despite previously supporting them.

Justice Party Senator Derryn Hinch

Justice Party Senator Derryn Hinch during a division for an amendment to part 18C of the RDA in the Senate in Canberra, March 23, 2017. Source: AAP

Crossbench senator Derryn Hinch has joined a growing revolt in support of penalty rates for low-paid workers.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson on Monday reversed her position, saying she had listened to the public's anger over the Fair Work Commission's decision and would no longer support a cut in penalty rates for the retail and hospitality industries.

Senator Hinch told 3AW radio on Tuesday while he respected the commission's role as an independent umpire he was also having a "rethink".

"I do respect the Fair Work decision, but I'm starting to think I might be going to the third umpire here - the workers themselves," he said.

"I'm being flooded with specific cases of people who are going to do it tough."


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Published 28 March 2017 4:04pm
Source: AAP

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