Tuesday, 3 October 2023

Ripon electorate

Martha HAYLETT (Ripon) (14:50): (329) My constituency question is for the Minister for Employment. Minister, how is the state Labor government’s sick pay guarantee benefiting Ripon constituents? No-one should ever have to choose between going to work sick and putting food on the table, but for many Victorians, including across the 100 communities I represent, that difficult choice is all too familiar. That is why our government introduced a sick pay guarantee – to help workers focus on getting better. I am so proud that we have now added more than 400 extra casual and contract jobs to the scheme. It will make such a huge difference, giving workers the opportunity to access up to 38 hours a year of sick and carers pay. Accessing the scheme is easy – it just takes 5 minutes to sign up on the Service Victoria website or app or at your local neighbourhood house. Once your details are confirmed, you will be able to access a week’s worth of sick and carers pay at a minimum wage. I am so proud to be part of a government that is supporting our casual and contract workers to get a fair day’s pay whether they are sick or not.