Fed: Hockey dismisses Anzac Day work fears

AAP General News (Australia)
04-19-2007
Fed: Hockey dismisses Anzac Day work fears

CANBERRA, April 19 AAP - Workplace Relations Minister Joe Hockey says he has no fears
about people being forced to work on Anzac Day.

Responding to journalists' questions, Mr Hockey said today whether someone worked on
Anzac Day and whether they received penalty rates would depend on their workplace agreement,
be it a collective or individual arrangement.

But he was not worried that unscrupulous employers would simply treat April 25 as any other day.

"No, I don't have any concerns because Anzac Day ... is clearly protected as a public
holiday," he told reporters.

"People have worked on Anzac Day previously, I would expect they will work on Anzac
Day in the years ahead."

Mr Hockey said many people in a range of industries worked on the day which commemorates
the anniversary of Australian soldiers landing at Gallipoli in World War I.

"There'll be journalists working on Anzac Day, I expect. Whether they get penalty rates
or not depends on their individual agreement or a collective agreement, whether they're
on an award or they're on a contract."

AAP dcr/mfh/jnb/jlw

KEYWORD: WORKPLACE HOCKEY

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