This week, the airwaves in Rockhampton were quite noisy with discussions on an issue that’s important to families across Australia, particularly those in the mining sector – workers' rights and the ongoing exploitation of casual workers. 

Senator Malcolm Roberts, a strong supporter of worker's rights, brought some much-needed attention to the federal Industrial Relations legislation that’s currently under the microscope. Labor's latest attempt at reform, the "Closing Loopholes Bill," vows to 'level the playing field for casual worker's, ensuring they’re paid on par with their permanent counterparts. 

But as Senator Roberts pointed out, there are a few problems, and the bill isn’t what it says it is. With most workers on-site operating under union-negotiated agreements, how is it that casual workers still find themselves getting the short end of the stick? The answer, it seems, lies in some shady dealings between union bosses and labour hire companies, with dodgy agreements allowing the exploitation of casual workers to persist. This bill won't stop those shady deals. 

The Fair Work Commission, the supposed watchdog in this space, seems to be either turning a blind eye or blatantly failing to do its job. And it’s the workers, as always, who are paying the price. 

Senator Roberts, in his candid chat with Frazer Pearce of ABC Rockhampton, pulled no punches in calling out the system's failures and the complicity of certain union bosses in the coal industry. He emphasised that the problem is widespread and deeply entrenched, with workers being paid below the award rate, missing out on basic leave entitlements, and being subjected to a culture of fear and intimidation. 

But what’s the solution? According to Senator Roberts, it’s simpler than we might think. We don’t need hundreds of pages of new legislation; we need to enforce the laws already in place. His "Same work, Same Pay" bill proposal is a testament to this belief—a simple, straightforward approach to ensuring fairness in the workplace.

As the hearings continue in Rockhampton and the debate rages on, it’s clear that this issue is not going away any time soon. And for Senator Roberts, it’s about doing what’s right for the Australian worker. 

Stay tuned and stay informed, because this is one conversation that affects us all.