STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Ms JORDAN-BAIRD (Gorton) (13:37): I'm a proud member of the Transport Workers' Union, and I'm proud that this Albanese Labor government has worked hand in hand with transport workers and the TWU to deliver real change. Across the aviation industry, reforms are already making a difference, but airline workers know there is still more work to do. For years, outsourcing, insecure work and a race to the bottom on wages and conditions have undermined what should be a world-class aviation industry.

That is why I am so proud to support the TWU's Safe and Secure Skies campaign. This campaign recognises that a safe aviation industry depends on secure jobs, a skilled workforce and fair standards across the entire supply chain. Many airport workers live in my electorate, in the western suburbs of Melbourne.

I recently met with airline workers at Melbourne Airport and delegates from the TWU with Sam Lynch and our fantastic minister for employment and workplace relations. These workers are baggage handlers, ground crew and cabin crew, like Ben from Virgin Australia, and are fighting hard for better pay and conditions. Labor understand that good jobs, safe workplaces and reliable services go hand in hand.

It's why we fought for same job, same pay; closed loopholes that undermined wages and conditions; and welcomed the Fair Work Commission's decision to deliver a 4.75 per cent increase to award wages. We'll always fight for workers' rights and we'll continue to listen to transport workers and their representatives when new challenges emerge.