Strathard Ward councillor Michael Farley says the Federal Government’s new industrial relations laws will hurt families in Casey.By Alison Noonan
CASEY councillor Colin Butler threatened to quit council during a fiery debate about the Federal Government’s industrial relations (IR) laws at Tuesday night’s council meeting.
Cr Butler was speaking out against a proposal for council to host public information forums on the amended WorkChoice laws in Narre Warren, Cranbourne, Endeavour Hills, Hampton Park and Berwick.
The new IR laws promote individual contracts for workers and lay down five basic conditions.
The Government claims reforms will strengthen the economy, however the Opposition fears the laws will create an underclass of working poor.
Strathard Ward councillor and trade union member Michael Farley said the laws would hurt “real families” in Casey and place an unfair burden on workers.
He said the forums would enable council to seek community feedback to be used to lobby the Federal Government for change.
“I have been talking to residents and there are a lot of negative thoughts about what will take place,” Cr Farley said.
“We have a lot of young, hardworking families in Casey and these laws will hurt a lot of residents.
“I want to create a forum so that we can hear both sides of the story, get answers and make changes if that’s what is needed.”
Mayfield Ward councillor Steve Beardon made an impassioned plea to councillors to reject the IR laws, which he claimed would cripple families in Casey’s south.
“Many southern residents are already having their casual hours cut back and this is putting pressure on welfare agencies,” he said.
“What’s going to happen if people in Cranbourne are laid off?
“The next job they are offered may be at an even lower hourly rate.
“We work to live, not live to work at ridiculously low hourly rates,” Cr Beardon said.
However, Cr Butler said it was not the council’s role to enter into political disputes, claiming the forums were a waste of time and money.
“I didn’t join council to start arguing about politics. This has nothing to do with council,” he said.
“If we are going to get this political then I’m out of here. I will not be associated with any political rubbish like this.”
Edrington Ward councillor Mick Morland labelled the motion a “political witch hunt” and said it was not the responsibility of local government to debate federal laws.
“This is already the law, so what will we do with the feedback?” he said.
“Why don’t we just bag the State Government too?
“If this motion is passed then every week for the rest of the year I will put up a motion questioning what the State Government will not provide for Casey.
“We should be looking (at) and supporting what’s in our own back yard,” Cr Morland said.
Strathard Ward councillor Lorraine Wreford said councillors had “completely lost the plot” and were “blatantly playing politics”.
“This is money that will have to come from other projects for what outcome?” she asked.
“We can’t change anything anyway. We have to remember what we are doing in council.”
Despite the objections of five councillors, the motion to hold the IR forums was passed.
