June 2010
Tuesday, 01 June 2010 16:35

Greater opportunities

Students will have more after school job opportunities following a Fair Work Australia draft decision to allow 1.5 hour shifts rather than the current minimum three hour shifts, Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said today.

“This will assist a raft of job seekers to enter the workforce, particularly students,” said Tim. “A number of students who had secured after school employment and those looking for employment were being told they could not be hired due to the three hour minimum work rule.

“It’s just not possible for students to finish school, get to work and then work three hours in local businesses, many of which close their doors at 5.30pm,” he said. “After school work is a fantastic way for young people to gain experience in the work force, hone their people skills and start to earn their own money and I would encourage employers to be pro-active in supporting students showing such initiative,” said Mr Bull.

“This was an issue which received great attention at The Nationals State Conference held in Wangaratta last year, and is one the Young Nationals and The Nationals Women’s Executive, pushed strongly.

“I have unfortunately heard stories of young people who have been sacked from positions due to the three hour minimum. No employer can afford to pay someone for three hours if they have only worked one and a half hours and they should not be expected to. “The draft ruling applies to secondary school students working for retailers between 3-6.30pm on weekdays and has come in after an application to Fair Work Australia by the National Retail Association.

“The Fair Work Act was actually disadvantaging young people wanting to work. Despite assurances no-one would be worse off under the new law, young people were disadvantaged.”

Published in Media
Tuesday, 01 June 2010 16:24

Heater swap

East Gippsland Concession Card holders will be entitled to a rebate of $700 when they replace their electric heater with a more cost-effective and energy-efficient gas heater, as part of the Victorian Gas Heater Rebate. “The initiative, which marks World Environment Day, will make it easier and cheaper for Victorian households to support the environment,” said Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull.

“Switching from electric to gas heaters can save households around $280 on their annual power bill and produce a better outcome for our environment.”

The Victorian Coalition Government has again delivered on its election commitment to ease the cost-of-living for Victorian households.

As part of its $5 million energy efficiency rebate for low-income household package, the Coalition Government will put $700 back into the pockets of Victorians in-need, and deliver vital environmental benefits.

The broad energy efficiency rebate package will also include a $100 rebate system to eligible low-income households to purchase a washing machine or fridge with a minimum 2.5 star energy efficiency rating.

The gas heater rebate will be provided as a point-of-sale discount to eligible concession card holders at over 200 participating suppliers and retailers across Victoria until 2013.

Details of participating retailers will be announced before the scheme gets underway on 4 July. For more information call 1300 363 744 or visit www.resourcesmart.vic.gov.au

Published in Media