Parliamentary Committees

Select Committee on the Gig Economy

Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. R.A. Simms:

That the report of the select committee be noted.

(Continued from 5 June 2024.)

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (21:22): It was a privilege to be part of the Select Committee on the Gig Economy over the past 14 months. At the conclusion of the inquiry, the committee made nine recommendations, two of which my Liberal colleague, the Hon. Ben Hood, and I support. Specifically, the Liberal Party supports the third recommendation, which recommends that the state government:

Develop strategies to ensure international students and migrant workers receive consistent information on their rights at work and different employee arrangements.

A large proportion of the gig economy is of course comprised of migrant workers, including international students, predominantly in popular food delivery services. These individuals, who are mainly here from various European, Asian and South American countries, often choose to engage in gig work due to its convenience and the fact that it is easier than obtaining employment elsewhere, which may require greater proficiency in English, for example, or other skills they do not have.

It is therefore imperative for these migrants to be fully informed of their rights and the differences in the employment arrangements offered by gig platforms as opposed to those of conventional employers, and that this information is conveyed both accurately and sufficiently in a way that they can understand. The other recommendation supported by the Liberal Party is No. 6, which recommends that the state government:

Review occupational health and safety laws to give protection to gig workers.

Gig workers, like all employees, must be as safe as possible as they undertake their duties in order to prevent the occurrence of work-related accidents, injuries, illnesses and fatalities. The Liberals are of the opinion that there should be no exception for workers of any kind when it comes OH&S matters. This is paramount.

The Liberal Party opposes the remaining six recommendations, as it agrees with those who submitted to the committee that the state government should wait for any federal reforms to be implemented prior to undertaking any reforms of the gig economy in South Australia specifically, and at a state level, as is the case in this case, to avoid any inconsistent and confusing regulations across states and territories.

Ultimately, the commonwealth has responsibility for our nation's workplace laws and it is therefore best placed to lead reform in this particular area—in the private sector that is, of course, which is largely and perhaps even exclusively the case in the gig economy.

The Liberal Party is also concerned that recommendations Nos 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9 may prove to be an impediment to business growth in South Australia through creating even more red tape and increasing the costs of operation. Rising costs would inherently flow on to the consumer, and with the cost-of-living crisis South Australians are currently experiencing businesses could potentially be at risk of becoming unviable if the demand for their services decreases.

I wish to take this opportunity to thank the Hon. Irene Pnevmatikos, who established this committee and chaired it for some time, as well as the Hon. Robert Simms, who succeeded her as Presiding Member. I would also like to thank Ms Emma Johnston, the secretary of the committee, for her exemplary work. I should note that this committee essentially functioned in the way that I think all committees should, and that is with a spirit of general wellbeing and, let's say, a cross-party focus on achieving positive outcomes for the people of South Australia.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. R.P. Wortley.