Matt Burnell
Spence · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“Christiana also said: We need Carnival to stop exploiting the workers. We work very long hours and get paid not even peanuts. Australia has built its reputation on fair wages, safe workplaces and respect for working people. Those values cannot stop at the water's edge.”
“Long shifts are routine, often stretching well beyond 12-hour days. Nobody should have to choose between protecting their health and keeping their job, and, after I heard this, nobody can convince me to go on a Carnival cruise in the future. The Maritime Union of Australia deserves enormous credit for exposing these practices.”
“This was about making sure those without a voice had someone prepared to stand up for them. That experience has stayed with me ever since. Perhaps that is why I reacted so strongly after meeting two former Carnival Cruise employees, Queen and Christiana, this week. What they described left me entirely appalled.”
“Queen and Christiana described having to purchase their own drinking water, Wi-Fi, toiletries and sanitary products while living on board. Basic necessities became another cost deducted from wages that were already impossible to live on. No employer should expect workers to pay simply to meet their most fundamental needs.”
“Thank you to the member for Mayo for that fine contribution to this House just now. Before I entered this place, I spent a decade working offshore in the Australian oil and gas industry.”
“I call on AMSA to ensure these rights are respected and enforced. I know the pride that comes from working in the maritime sector. I also know the sacrifices made by those who spend months away from their families to keep global trade and tourism moving. That commitment should never be rewarded with exploitation.”
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“My question is to the Minister for Early Childhood Education. How is the Albanese Labor government providing cost-of-living relief for early childhood education? Is there anything that could put this at risk and see families worse off?”
“There is one man in this place, the Leader of the Opposition, who would deny this relief to the families who need it most; who would prefer to see the 67,000 people in my electorate go without their tax cut, and would call for an election to make this happen; who has consistently voted against good policy to improve livelihoods of households across this country; and who has tried to shoot down boosts to Medicare, education and housing. Instead of helping you, this Leader of the Opposition offers an alternative—a $1.6 billion tax funded scheme to give bosses a free lunch. While the Leader of the Opposition is setting a banquet table for his mates, Labor is focused on a better future for Australians.”
“Good governments deliver change from the ground up. On this side of the House we know that everyday Aussies are doing it tough. That's why, when a good government—a Labor government—steps up to the crease to fight the cost of living, we direct our efforts to everyday Aussies who need it most. That's why Labor delivered a tax cut that helps every Australian, putting an average of $1,217 back into pockets of workers in my community. That's why Labor shaved $300 off power bills, froze medicine costs, opened urgent care clinics around the country and made education more affordable. That's what good governments too.”