Labor's plan for the social and community sector 

We welcome Labor’s commitment to a better future for community sector workers.

These important commitments will ensure community workers have better job security, pay, and the support they need to do their important work.  For nine years, under the Liberal government, the social and community sector have experienced neglect, poor funding, rolling contracts and targeted attacks, including “gag laws” aimed at silencing charities taking part in advocacy. 

Federal Labor has committed to making sure funding is adequate to cover increases in the Award wages as determined by the Fair Work Commission.

Labor promised that if elected, a Labor Government will: 

• Ensure that funding is adequate to cover increases in Award wages as determined annually by the Fair Work Commission
• End race to the bottom in wages
• Ensure funded paid Domestic Violence Leave in all community sector contracts
• End the culture of short term funding (by introducing minimum 6-year funding contracts)
• Increase the number of permanent and full-time positions in the sector
• End gag clauses and fund advocacy
• Not fund for-profit providers in community services like homelessness, domestic violence services  

We welcome Labor’s commitment to a better future for community sector workers.