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.

Greens industrial relations spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today applauded ANZ’s move to pay its women employees more super and said the Greens will move for a Senate inquiry into their bill to boost superannuation for women across the country.

“Today’s announcement by the ANZ is a huge win for their women employees,” Mr Bandt said.

“On average, women have $44,000 in their super account, compared to $82,000 for men. This is an extreme level of inequality and ANZ is doing the right thing by trying to change this for their employees.”