Business Services Wage Assessment Tool Payment Scheme Bill 2014 and Business Services Wage Assessment Tool Payment

Scheme (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2014

Submission 17

From: To: Community Affairs, Committee (SEN) Subject: Submission Senate Inquiry BSWAT Date: Wednesday, 23 July 2014 4:33:25 PM Attachments:

Dear Sir/Madam

DDLS supports the submissions of AED Legal Centre to the effect that employees should be compensated for their productivity and that their disabilities should not be determinative of a pay rate that is at least one half lower than what any other worker is entitled to.

In particular, we believe the appointment of nominees by the Secretary is inappropriate and a clear and significant conflict of interest.

Without a guarantee of impartial legal and financial advisors who have expertise in dealing with people with disabilities, the current protection proposals are inadequate.

Any reviews, whether internal or external, will be insufficient to safeguard the rights of employees unless the individual has access as a right, to impartial expert advocacy, free of cost.

Yours sincerely Julie Phillips Manager Disability Discrimination Legal Service 247-251 Flinders Lane Melbourne VIC 3001

Ph: 9654-8644 TTY: 9654-6817 Fax: 9639-7422