The Member for Macarthur, Dr Mike Freelander MP, has continued his push to defend the workers of the Coles Smeaton Grange Distribution Centre in Parliament today.

For the second time in Question Time this sitting fortnight, Dr Freelander urged the Federal Minister for Industrial Relations, Christian Porter MP, to take some interest in the case.

Dr Freelander states he was more than “disappointed” in the Minister’s response.

“Instead of offering some desperately needed assistance to the 350+ workers and their families, the Minister attempted to explain the situation away by stating that the site is due to close anyway,” said Dr Freelander.

“That is beyond unacceptable. The worksite is not due to close until 2023 – and in the meantime 350 hardworking local employees and their families will go without a pay check over Christmas and New Years.”

Dr Freelander stated that the Minister’s laissez faire response was “completely bizarre”, especially considering the Coalition’s desire to rush Industrial Relations legislation through the Parliament before it breaks for the Christmas recess on Thursday evening.

“If the Coalition cared at all about the rights or workers, the Minister would be doing everything in his power to urge Coles to come back to the table,” said the Member for Macarthur.

“The least the Minister or the Prime Minister could do is pick up the phone to Coles, and ask them to let their employees get back to work.

“The 350 employees, and their families, who aren’t receiving a pay check for 3 months and haven’t been entitled to any Government support need the Minister to grow a backbone and do what is right.”