The Adelaide employment market will certainly change if Peter Dutton is elected in this year’s federal election.
One is not sure whether Peter Dutton has declared war on working women but Federal public servants will have the right to disconnect scrapped if the Coalition wins this year’s federal election.
The right to disconnect, introduced in August 2024, is a workplace condition protecting employees who choose to ignore unreasonable attempts by their bosses to contact them after hours.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton last week pledged to order public servants to work in the office, and vows to cut 36,000 jobs if he wins government.
Coalition public service spokeswoman Jane Hume confirmed the sector would be subject to the changes under a Liberal-National government.
“We have already said that we will seek to repeal Labor’s right-to-disconnect laws, which were rushed and only add complexity and confusion. Australian Public Service employees will be subject to the same laws as the rest of Australia,” Hume said.
Corporate Australia won’t be far behind Dutton’s lead.
The Coalition’s proposed changes to the public service and workplace laws are set to become a key battleground during the coming federal election campaign.
Workplace Minister Murray Watt said a Coalition government would quickly scrap government workers’ right to disconnect.
“We know Peter Dutton is a hater, but the two things he hates the most are workers’ rights and public servants,” Watt said.
“The right to disconnect is designed to end unpaid overtime, help people regain their life outside of work, and spend more quality time with their family and friends. Whether you work in the public or private sector, Peter Dutton wants you to work longer for less.”
Last week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described Dutton’s vow to make public servants work in the office, rather than from home, as Trumpist policy.
The Coalition has faced a backlash for introducing a pledge that some argue disproportionately affects working mothers who require more flexibility.