‘Loophole’ Changes A Win For Hotels

From the President

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Previous issues of this magazine have focussed on the Federal Government’s ‘Closing the Loopholes’ industrial bill, with an emphasis on the devastating impact it would have had on our ability to employ causals.

The bill, due to be debated in Federal Parliament next February, threatened to make the employment of casuals - as we know it - almost impossible, and would have severely eroded the very way we conduct our business.

Thanks to the incredible efforts of our national CEO Stephen Ferguson and his small IR team, along with Owen Webb in the SA office, the AHA has averted the very worst aspects of this bill.

Every employer group has signalled strong concerns about this bill and its negative impacts on their sector. The AHA went about its business as it has always done - avoiding public debate and doing the deal at the coal face.

The result is rather than create a headline, the AHA created a solution. And once again, we have been recognised by government as a voice of reason.

I would like to reinforce the comments of our national office in thanking the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Tony Burke, for taking the time to listen to our concerns and taking actions to address them.

While there is still work to be done, we now have certainty for casual workers who want to remain exactly that – casual workers.

In our national media release, our CEO Stephen Ferguson said the outcome was “good news for both casuals and employers alike.”

“The simple fact is many hospitality workers do actually prefer casual employment, given the 25% wage loading and the flexibility to refuse shifts.

“Our concern with the original Bill was that employers would no longer be able to provider systemic regular casual employment to those workers who were happy with it.

“The amendments which have been committed to provide much more certainty and fairness for workers and employers and can be chalked up as a win for both.”

“They strike the right balance.”

Our Association also welcomes a commitment by the Government to remove the civil penalty provision relating to misrepresentation of casual employment in the Bill.

Any mistakes, disputes or questions will be able to be dealt with by the independent umpire, the Fair Work Commission.

The nature of our businesses which is a world away from the ‘Monday to Friday, 9-5’ environment means casuals will always be at the heart of our rostering.

And our pubs give so many people their first job in life. Give University students the chance to fund their studies. The change in approach by the Federal Government last week has ensured that can continue.

Award Winners

Congratulations to all of the success stories in the 2023 AHA|SA Awards For Excellence.

This issue of Hotel SA includes extended coverage of the awards, which was another great night of celebration as we continue to put some very dark days behind us.

In particular, I would like to congratulate:

• The Cremorne Hotel: Best Overall Hotel – General Division

• McLaren Vale Hotel: Best Overall Hotel – Country as well as Best Redeveloped Country

• Mount Lofty House: Best Overall Hotel – Accommodation Division.

I am also in awe of the three hotels that were inducted into the Hotel Awards Hall of Fame for winning their categories for multiple consecutive years. The owners and teams of these hotels should be enormously proud of their achievements:

• Warradale Hotel: Best Sporting Entertainment Venue

• Governor Hindmarsh Hotel: Best Entertainment Venue

• Watervale Hotel: Best Innovation, Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Practice.

I now look forward to seeing many SA winners at the national awards, which will be held at the Adelaide Oval on Monday 27 November.

Congratulations to Lucy Randall and her team for putting together a sensational night. Our political friends who attended, along with senior Interstate industry leaders, all remarked on the success of the event. A staggering 920 guests with not a spare seat in the house. Now that is great going!

TABCORP

It is great news that Tabcorp has agreed to extend its wonderful Diamond partnership with AHA SA for a further two years.

This means AHA members will continue to exclusively enjoy a 75% rebate off their Sky Channel fees, and by next July, Tabcorp have committed to deliver free Sky to all our member hotels

In a time of spiralling costs, we thank Tabcorp for their incredible support of our venues.