Federal Opposition must support PPL Amendment Bill 2014

 

PEAK retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) congratulates the Federal Government for their commitment to supporting retailers to get on with the job of doing business through the Paid Parental Leave Amendment Bill 2014 which has come under debate today.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said it is now more important than ever for the Federal Opposition to also support business and back the abolition of the ‘pay-clerk’ burden from the paid parental leave scheme.

“The Federal Government is trying to remove this major burden from all businesses but the Opposition is yet to show their support - which comes at a severe cost to business.

“The current system is overly complex and burdens business with having to carry the costs of changing their payroll systems and the additional paperwork. We are calling on all parties to put politics to one side and focus on making life a little easier for business owners, in turn helping business and the economy to grow and increasing employment opportunities.

“Under the Federal Government’s plan to remove the ‘pay-clerk’ burden, businesses of ALL sizes would be relieved of the red-tape burden of acting as the ‘pay-clerk’ for the paid parental leave scheme unless the employer and employee both ‘opt in’ to having the employer administer payments.

“We encourage the Opposition to stop playing politics on this issue and provide the support required for retailers to get on with the job of doing business. A common sense approach must prevail,” Mr Zimmerman said.

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Since 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body representing Australia’s $265 billion retail sector, which employs over 1.2 million people. The ARA ensures retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 5,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia.

Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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