CATHY McGowan says she was sticking to her principle when she voted against a bill which would quash penalty rate cuts.
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The member for Indi joined the government in rejecting the bill put by Labor’s Brendan O’Connor that would override the Fair Work Commission’s cuts announced earlier this year.
“My consistent position has been that penalty rates should not be politicised,” Ms McGowan said.
“The independent umpire is vital to a stable wages and conditions system.
“I voted in line with that principle.”
After the vote on Tuesday, Ms McGowan was mocked by the Victorian Trades Hall Council which posted a GIF showing her morphing into her Indi predecessor Liberal Sophie Mirabella.
“Indi locals would be forgiven for wondering why they bothered getting rid of Sophie Mirabella,” the council stated on its Facebook page.
Council staff last week gaves petitions protesting the cuts to Ms McGowan’s office.
