Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (13:48): This morning I drove past the statue of Zelda D’Aprano on Lygon Street. Zelda holds a sign that says, ‘No more male and female rates. One rate only.’ Her statue represents a struggle, a movement and ultimately a historic outcome: equal pay for work of equal value. Today the Fair Work Commission after decades of struggle, after the tireless advocacy of the movement and in particular the SDA, has made another historic decision. After years of advocacy, today the SDA has secured the path to 100 per cent pay at 18 for workers across the country. For decades in this country we have told young people that at 18 they can drive to work but when they get there they will be paid less than the adult rate for the same work. Your petrol bill does not cost less because you are 18. Indeed none of your bills cost less because you are 18. As a former official of the SDA I have discussed these challenges with workers on the shop floor, and in recognition of these challenges there has been a longstanding campaign from the SDA to ensure that workers receive 100 per cent pay at 18. Today across retail, fast food and pharmacies these essential workers have now won. They have achieved a path to 100 per cent pay at 18, 19 and 20. This is historic, described by the SDA today as a landmark decision up there with the introduction of equal pay for women in the 1970s. This change could result in some workers earning up to $10 more an hour when the changes take effect, a significant improvement to their wages. This is the power of real unionism. I pay credit to Victoria’s SDA state secretary of 30 years Michael Donovan, current national secretary Gerard Dwyer, former national secretary Joe de Bruyn and – (Time expired).