Much like the member for Monaro, I did not intend to speak to the Industrial Relations Amendment (Transport Sector Gig Workers and Others) Bill 2025. But, after hearing Opposition members, I was outraged and moved to speak. This is an extremely important bill that expands protections for transport workers and is part of a suite of reforms that Labor has brought in during its two years in government. Anyone unfortunate enough to watch the public interest debate earlier would have seen the bluff and bluster of Liberal Party members. They come into the Chamber and talk about aspiration and choice. But when it comes to walking the walk—whether it is the State Liberals or the Federal Liberals—they are caught out time and again. They are always in favour of protecting the suits and the bosses.
Opposition members had a choice to come to the Chamber today and look after some of the most vulnerable workers in some of the most dangerous industries. Once again, they have failed. Whether it is on penalty rates, job security or handing money to consultants and undermining public sector workers, Liberal Party members will come into this House or go to Canberra and undermine workers. These are important reforms that expand protections for transport workers. I have spoken previously in this House about an incident a number of years ago involving my father-in-law. Thankfully, as a transport worker, he was protected by a series of industrial relations laws. When driving his truck during COVID, he had hand sanitiser in the truck, as he was required to do as part of stopping the spread. That ignited, and he suffered significant burns to his body. He is still recovering. He has not been able to go back to work. Thankfully, he is protected by a series of laws that protect workers. To think that there are workers who do the exact same job that would not have been protected in the same scenario because they happen to be "gig workers" is abhorrent, and we should expand protections as much as we possibly can to protect them.
The protections have been adapted for the modern transport industry. We have gig workers and delivery workers. We do a lot of our shopping online now. Therefore, the transport industry has expanded, and we need to ensure that the laws are updated and continue to protect workers. Once again, I am disgusted by members opposite. They are a miserable lot who, when it comes down to it, failed to protect workers time and time again. We listen to them in debates and try to figure out what their policy is and what they believe in. The one thing they believe in is protecting the suits and the bosses and always putting the workers last. I commend the bill to the House.
