Labour Hire Practices

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (14:04): I seek leave to make a further ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Every worker in South Australia deserves a fair day's pay for a fair and safe day's work. I am sure we are all extremely concerned by the issues raised by ABC TV's Four Corners program this week regarding workers in the food industry. No worker should ever have to endure mistreatment, exploitation or harassment at work, and no company should be able to shirk its statutory obligations to provide a safe workplace, return to work and state taxation.

When evidence is presented that indicates a section of an industry is operating outside the law and outside what is acceptable in our society, it is incumbent on governments to act. That is why the Minister for Industrial Relations has directed the relevant South Australian agencies to investigate possible breaches of the law. That is why the government will refer the matter of labour hire industry practice to the parliament's Economic and Finance Committee for inquiry. The Minister for Industrial Relations will shortly write to all members of parliament to consult on the terms of reference for that inquiry, and we will undertake broader consultation as well.

The terms of reference on which we will consult include consideration of non-payment or underpayment of return-to-work premiums; avoidance of taxation liabilities; exploitation, harassment and other forms of mistreatment of workers; non-payment or underpayment of wages and superannuation entitlements; recommendations to ensure a fairer, safer and secure industry; support for a coordinated national approach to this issue; and any other relevant matter. I invite members to contribute to the consultation. I thank the member for Little Para for his eagerness to chair the inquiry and for his initial advice, and I also thank the member for Taylor for her interest and action on this matter. Mr Speaker, the government will work to provide a better regulation of the labour hire industry.