E tū is backing the findings of the People’s Select Committee on Pay Equity, saying the report makes a compelling case for repealing the Equal Pay Amendment Act 2025 and reinstating the pay equity claims that were cancelled overnight.
The Committee was established by ten former MPs from across the political spectrum in response to the rushed passage of the legislation. Over nine months, it gathered more than 1,500 submissions from workers, unions, employers, and experts. Those submissions overwhelmingly opposed the law change and highlighted its damaging impact on women and other workers in female-dominated industries.
The report recommends that the 2025 amendments be repealed, cancelled claims be reinstated without restarting the process, and that employers be properly funded to implement settlements.
E tū Care and Community Support Industry Council Convenor and home support worker Tamara Baddeley says the report reflects the experience of thousands of workers.
“The report is very thorough and comprehensive, with clear recommendations for this and future governments to consider and implement.
“These recommendations would improve the lives of tens of thousands of working people and their families across the country. Their local communities would also benefit, especially smaller communities that rely heavily on care and support services.”
E tū National Secretary Rachel Mackintosh says the Committee has done the work the Government refused to do.
“When the Government stripped away pay equity claims under urgency, it shut down democratic scrutiny and ignored the voices of the very women whose work keeps our communities running.
“This report lays bare the consequences of that decision. It shows that pay equity is not an abstract concept – it is about whether women doing essential work can afford to live with dignity.”
Rachel says the Government must now act on the recommendations.
“The Equal Pay Amendment Act 2025 should be repealed and the cancelled claims reinstated. Workers should not have to start again from scratch because of a political decision made behind closed doors.”
With a general election approaching, Rachel says voters should be paying close attention.
“This is an election year. Working people, especially women in undervalued sectors, will be looking carefully at which parties are prepared to restore pay equity and which parties chose to take it away.
“Pay equity is about having enough income to live a life of dignity. It’s about fairness, human rights, and respect for women’s work. The question for every political party is simple: are you on the side of the workers who hold this country together, or not?”