Final submissions have been lodged by both the Australian and NSW governments in the ASU pay equity case.
The Government (ALP) supports equal pay, but has expressed some concern about the form of any final order. They support a phased implementation due to costs involved.
As the opposition, the NSW Liberal Party is not required to lodge a separate submission, and has not done so. Pru Goward, as Shadow Minister for Women has stated that a Liberal Government would commit to supporting the outcomes of the case. Ms Goward has been a long term and vocal supporter of equal pay.
However, neither party will state outright what the cost of pay equity would be in terms of cuts to services, or loss of jobs.
WEL strongly objects to this.
Equal pay for equal work is as just a principal as fair pay for a fair day’s work. Paying women a fair and just wage should not require any trade offs in terms of services or jobs losses.
In terms of other workplace cultures, the major difference between the parties is the level at which they are focussing their support for women in work.
The ALP has committed to quotas for women on boards and in management positions if no movement is made in this area voluntarily by businesses.
The Liberal Party is focussing on women in trades, with more support for women entering non-traditional areas.
However, as WEL NSW’ election forum on 3 March showed, both parties are very similar when it comes to policies to support women.
