Parliamentary Secretary for Workplace Relations, Senator Jacinta Collins, has called on Senator Eric Abetz to explain to 150,000 of Australia’s lowest paid workers why he wants to deny them the benefit of substantial pay rises resulting from last week’s historic equal pay decision.

Senator Collins said that the comments made by the Shadow Minister for Workplace Relations today demonstrates the Opposition’s lack of support for equal pay.

“This is a blow to these workers who have been underpaid for too long simply because their work was seen as women’s work,” Senator Collins said.

In a doorstop interview today Senator Abetz said:

What we need to do is ensure that pay rates and parity between pay rates is maintained.

“If Senator Abetz thinks wage rises should maintain existing parities, he clearly does not support equal pay,” Senator Collins said.

“It’s clear Senator Abetz has shown policy is not the Coalition’s strong point.

“Tony Abbott needs to state where the Coalition stands on equal pay and if they will support some of Australia’s lowest paid workers, most of whom are women.”