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Life & Family Friendly
Will you be voting for a better future?
24 June 2016
The 2016 federal election is about priorities. Whether $50 billion of taxpayers’ money is best used on corporate tax cuts or on health, education and infrastructure investment. In this report we demystify the issues for our members and supporters so you can be well-informed at the ballot box. The ASU…
Union response to ALP child care announcement
07 June 2016
The ACTU and ASU welcome the Labor Party’s commitment to the proper and timely funding for early childhood education and for early childhood educators in this country. Affordable and accessible early childhood education and care helps ensure that all children get the best start in life. This package recognises the…
Last year the ASU conducted a broad ranging survey on financial insecurity in retirement. We presented a snapshot of some of our findings in our submission to the Senate Inquiry into economic security for women in retirement and appeared at the Senate hearing. We left the politicians in no doubt…
Around Australia this Easter weekend, millions will be taking a break and many will spend time with family and friends. Whether Easter itself means something religious or philosophical to you or not, everyone understands the importance of rest and spending time with loved ones. However, a very large number of…
Following the 2015 Budget the Federal Government introduced new legislation to enact its “Jobs for Families Package”. Although there’s an injection of much needed funding into child care, it’s based on cuts to other family benefits. The ASU’s position has been that it takes more than one policy to help…
Anxiety the response when low paid workers think about retirement
22 February 2016
Last week the ASU appeared at the public hearings of the Senate inquiry into the economic security for women in retirement. This was a follow up to the submission we lodged last year. At the hearing we tried to draw a picture for the Senators that could capture the overriding…
Unions kick-off national campaign to protect Medicare
16 February 2016
The ACTU is launching a major campaign against the sell-off and cuts to Medicare, with a targeted broadcast and online advertising blitz, followed by a door knock in 22 marginal seats and community protests around the country. New polling released today shows the majority of Queenslanders and Victorians do not…
Fair Work Commission wants to hear your views on penalty rates
02 February 2016
The Fair Work Commission (FWC) is currently deciding whether to cut or protect weekend penalty rates and they have opened up submissions from the public - the Commissioners want to hear from you! The ASU is encouraging all our supporters to raise your voices in defence of the weekend. >>…
A rollercoaster is no place for a newborn - a brief history of the Coalition’s paid parental leave policy
15 January 2016
Research released this week showing low paid workers being affected by massive cuts to their take home Paid Parental Leave (PPL) has rightly angered many. The Coalition has treated this policy area disgracefully for years and this latest research has prompted us to revisit the rollercoaster ride we've been on…
Policy changes needed to address discrimination leading to disproportionate number of women in poverty & hardship in retirement
11 December 2015
The ASU recently lodged a submission to the Senate Inquiry into the economic security of women in retirement. Our findings, following a major survey of our members and supporters, leave no doubt that major policy changes are required to prevent large numbers of women and their families from experiencing the…
25 November is White Ribbon Day – stand up, speak out, act
23 November 2015
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women or White Ribbon Day is marked each year on 25 November (this Wednesday in 2015). The ASU and a large variety of organisations worldwide participate in awareness raising activities to promote the message that violence against women is not on.…
Valuing families & the next generation means maintaining & improving fair time to care
04 November 2015
You'd be forgiven for feeling duped by this Federal Government. The Australian Services Union well remembers Tony Abbott's Paid Parental Leave (PPL) election promise in 2013 because we predicted it wouldn't be delivered. We weren't happy to be proven right because the welfare of future generations is at stake. What…
Penalty Rates are all about fair compensation
27 October 2015
From staffing call centres, libraries and airports to repairing essential services and providing emergency community services, especially after natural disasters, ASU members are working unsociable hours so that others can enjoy their weekends, nights and holidays. They miss out on vital time with friends and family, and deserve to be…
Financial insecurity in retirement – how do we address inequality to avoid hardship & poverty?
06 October 2015
To coincide with the Senate Inquiry into the economic security of women in retirement, a problem of financial hardship that affects households all over Australia, the ASU has launched a survey seeking views from our members and supporters. We encourage you to complete the survey as it will assist us…