Penalty rates protester at Bill Shorten press conference will not lose a cent from cuts
Updated
A worker who stood alongside Opposition Leader Bill Shorten complaining the penalty cuts would cost him $109 a week is a Labor Party member and will not lose a dollar.
The Fair Work Commission (FWC) decided to reduce penalty rates for some Sunday shifts in retail, hospitality and fast food.
The decision was met with fury by the union movement and the Labor party.
Sydney man Trent Hunter stepped up with Mr Shorten and Opposition employment spokesman Brendan O'Connor to humanise the cost of the commission's decision.
"I am gutted, It is such a disgrace, I do not accept the decision as a retail worker," Mr Hunter said.
"I rely on Sunday penalty rates. I am rostered on every single Sunday.
"I will now lose $109 a week, that is insane. I rely on the penalty rates to make ends meet and to pay for my fuel, my rent and to pay for my food."
Supermarket giant Coles contacted the ABC this afternoon to say Mr Hunter was one of their employees.
"Store team members at Coles are employed under an enterprise agreement and therefore are unaffected by today's decision."
The ABC has contacted Mr Hunter for comment. His phone went straight to voicemail.
Mr Shorten's office confirmed Mr Hunter is a member of the ALP.
"Hundreds of thousands of workers will be worse off because of cuts to penalty rates — that's a fact," a spokesman for Mr Shorten said in response to the assertion from Coles.
It was not the first time Mr Hunter has appeared at Labor events.
He has posted numerous photos on his social media profiles campaigning for the party, including snaps with western Sydney MP Emma Husar and leader Bill Shorten.
It is understood some within Labor recognise the error of using Mr Hunter in the nationally televised press conference.
Topics: government-and-politics, federal-government, political-parties, alp, canberra-2600, australia
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