Turnbull must establish a National Crimes Authority to investigate agreements between big business and unions to underpay workers

A special snap SMS Morgan Poll shows a clear majority of Australians (77%) say the Federal Government should establish a National Crimes Authority to investigate unions and large employers paying workers below award rates. This special SMS Morgan Poll was conducted last night (Thursday) with a cross-section of 1,503 Australians aged 18+.

Analysis by Voting Preference

Analysing by voting preference shows a majority of supporters of all parties say the Federal Government should establish a National Crimes Authority to investigate unions and large employers paying workers below award rates:

• L-NP voters: Yes (85%) cf. no (15%);
• ALP voters: Yes (69%) cf. no (31%);
• Greens voters: Yes (71%) cf. no (29%);
• Independent/ Others voters: Yes (85%) cf. no (15%).

Analysis by Gender

Analysis by gender shows a slight gender split shows men and women in agreement with the proposition:

• Men: Yes (77%) cf. no (23%);
• Women: Yes (77%) cf. no (23%).

Analysis by Age

Analysing by age shows Australians of all ages in near unanimous agreement:

• 18-24yr olds: Yes (77%) cf. no (23%);
• 25-34yr olds: Yes (77%) cf. no (23%);
• 35-49yr olds: Yes (77%) cf. no (23%);
• 50-64yr olds: Yes (77%) cf. no (23%);
• 65+yr olds: Yes (78%) cf. no (22%).

Analysis by State

Analysing by State shows Queenslanders (83%) are clearly the keenest on establishing a National Crimes Authority to investigate unions and large employers paying workers below award rates although large majorities of over 70% of Australians in all other States agree as well:

• New South Wales: Yes (73%) cf. no (27%);
• Victoria: Yes (79%) cf. no (21%);
• Queensland: Yes (83%) cf. no (17%);
• Western Australia: Yes (75%) cf. no (25%);
• South Australia: Yes (77%) cf. no (23%);
• Tasmania: Yes (78%) cf. no (22%).

Gary Morgan, Executive Chairman, Roy Morgan Research, says:

“Since August 2015 when The Age broke the 7-Eleven story covering massive under-payment of workers there have been other allegations of similar fraudulent activity in underpaying other workers.

“Wednesday’s Fair Work Commission decision (June 1, 2016) overturning Coles’ enterprise agreement is a significant escalation of the IR debate on wages and over-award payments.

“Both Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten have up until now not addressed the issue.

“Turnbull & Shorten must show leadership by tackling Australia’s most significant problem of our flawed industrial relations system and the massive ‘cash economy’ – both completely ignored by the August 2015 Productivity Commission Report (draft) into Australia’s Workplace Relations Framework – which only once mentioned the ‘cash economy’!”

Finding No. 6838 – This special snap SMS Morgan Poll was conducted with a representative cross-section of 1,503 Australians over the last two days, Thursday June 2, 2016 – Friday June 3, 2016. They were asked “Its been found by the Fair Work Commission that unions and large employers have agreements to pay workers below award rates. Were you aware of this?” and respondents were then asked “Should the Federal Government establish a National Crimes Authority to investigate unions and large employers paying workers below award rates?”

Roy Morgan SMS Polling was extremely accurate at both the last two Federal Elections:
See 2014 Accuracy Results here.

Results analysed by Roy Morgan Helix Personas are available on a subscription basis.
www.HelixPersonas.com.au

Questions:

Australians were asked (June 2-3, 2016):

Q1:“Its been found by the Fair Work Commission that unions and large employers have agreements to pay workers below award rates. Were you aware of this?”

Of all Australians surveyed on June 2-3 only 29% had heard of the Fair Work Commission’s June 1 finding while 71% had not. Of electors surveyed 28% had heard of the Fair Work Commission’s finding while 72% had not.

Q2. All respondents were then asked “Should the Federal Government establish a National Crimes Authority to investigate unions and large employers paying workers below award rates?”

Analysis by Voting Preference: “Should the Federal Government establish a National Crimes Authority to investigate unions and large employers paying workers below award rates?”

Analysis by Age & Gender: “Should the Federal Government establish a National Crimes Authority to investigate unions and large employers paying workers below award rates?”

Analysis by State & City/Country: “Should the Federal Government establish a National Crimes Authority to investigate unions and large employers paying workers below award rates?”

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