Hawke Condemns Labor's Attack on Volunteerism

 Friday, 20 January 2012

Local sporting clubs, scout groups and community organisations have been dealt a severe blow by the Gillard Labor Government and their attack on volunteers. As predicted by the Coalition, Labor’s new OH&S laws have turned volunteers into workers, effectively destroying the tradition of Australian volunteerism as we know it.

“Volunteers are a vital part of our local community,” Alex Hawke MP, Federal Member for Mitchell said. “The fact Labor would jeopardise such a fundamental cornerstone of Australian culture shows just how out of touch they are.

Under the OH&S changes volunteers are now considered to be workers in the eyes of the law, liable to severe fines and prison sentences if Labor’s OH&S red tape is breached.

These changes will have a chilling effect on the voluntary sector, whereby people will give up existing volunteer work or choose not to begin volunteering in the first place due to fear of attracting these harsh penalties.

“In November last year my colleague, Senator Eric Abetz, raised concerns in parliament about the effect that Labor’s changes would have on the volunteer sector,” Alex Hawke said. “As is typical of this government they failed to address those concerns. Concerns that are now becoming a reality.

“You see Volunteers where ever you go. We have great organisations such as the Lions and Rotary clubs, not to mention the countless mum and dad volunteers helping out at local sporting events every weekend or raising money for the sick, the elderly or others in need.

“Under these changes both community organisations and their volunteers will now be burden with strict regulations accompanied by harsh punishments for non compliance.

“This legislation makes a mockery of Labor and their supposed commitment to the voluntary sector.

Unlike Labor, the Coalition has constantly supported policies that will help rather than hinder the voluntary sector.

At the 2010 election, the Coalition proposed AUSCORPS, a program which would give university students a discount on their HELP debt in recognition of voluntary work in order to encourage a new generation of volunteers.

“The government’s goal should be to increase volunteerism, not destroy it,” Alex Hawke concluded.