grant, be careful on the voting front! You show me yours and I'll show you mind! (what are you trying to say, that all bosses are bastards?)
From today's Australian: IR actor causes red faces
Brad Norington | August 08, 2007
THE Howard Government has been severely embarrassed by allegations an actor used in multi-million-dollar advertisements to spruik its workplace laws considerably underpaid two junior employees in his former painting business. Workplace Relations Minister Joe Hockey has withdrawn the ads and ordered an investigation after complaints involving actor Damien Richardson, who plays the role of a beanie-wearing father worried about his son's future as a young employee. In ads that also feature the Government's Workplace Authority chief Barbara Bennett defending the Coalition's laws, Mr Richardson says: "My kid's about to start work, and there's nothing to stop his employer from ripping him off." Mr Richardson, who uses the stage name D. O'Connor in the ads, was forced on the defensive yesterday after the fathers of two 18-year-olds he employed in his former painting business lodged complaints with the Government's Workplace Ombudsman. Peter Gebert, the father of Erin Gebert, told The Australian yesterday that his son was owed more than $2000 after he had been underpaid as an apprentice painter by Mr Richardson. The father of a second worker, Stephen Graham, said his son Phillip was also owed about $1000 after Mr Richardson had allegedly underpaid him while working as a casual. Speaking on the ABC, Mr Richardson claimed that Erin was a subcontractor - not an apprentice - in his former Melbourne painting business and therefore not paid on a regular basis. He also claimed that, as a subcontractor, it was Erin's responsibility to provide him with an ABN number or else he was able to pay only 50 per cent of what Erin was owed. He said Erin had never sent him an invoice and "he's never, ever asked me for any money at all, ever." Mr Richardson was not available to discuss his treatment of Phillip Graham. Mr Gebert said his son had an apprentice's certificate proving that Erin was an employee and officially an apprentice. He said that Erin quit after six months because Mr Richardson was erratic in paying him but took him to the pub or football "to keep him in line". Erin had turned up at Mr Richardson's house seeking payment for four weeks' pay, superannuation and annual leave after quitting, but Mr Richardson allegedly warned him off. "He's an 18-year-old, he doesn't run a business and wouldn't know what an ABN was," said Mr Gebert. Mr Graham said his son Phillip had worked as a casual employee for Mr Richardson for more than six months and had never been asked to provide an ABN number. Workplace Ombudsman Nicolas Wilson yesterday sent two inspectors to interview the parents of the allegedly underpaid youths. "The workplace watchdog is making significant and immediate progress in its investigation," he said. Opposition industrial relations spokeswoman Julia Gillard said the Government's campaign had "descended into farce" with the Coalition forced to withdraw its advertisement. Ms Gillard said the whole ad campaign - which the Prime Minister confirmed yesterday had cost $23 million so far - should also be withdrawn. The Government is already under pressure from Labor to withdraw the ads because of its use of Ms Bennett, a senior public servant, to sell its laws. Additional reporting: Michael Davis
