from Australian Government media releases

Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, the Hon Joe Hockey MP, and the Minister for Human Services, Senator the Hon Chris Ellison, have today announced a range of measures to assist eligible McArthur Transport workers recover their entitlements following the closure of their business.

The Ministers have also underlined their commitment to the working families affected by this collapse by announcing that the corporate and workplace watchdogs are being briefed on the collapse of the Sydney business.

"I am please to announce the Federal Government has decided to fast-track its General Employee Entitlements and Redundancy Scheme (GEERS) for these workers affected by these terrible circumstances," Minister Hockey said.

"My department has requested a full investigation. The Workplace Ombudsman and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission are being briefed on the situation, and further information is being sought from the Administrator on the circumstances of this corporate collapse.

 "Workers will be provided with all of their outstanding wages as a matter of urgency and my department is working closely with the Receiver and the Administrators to ensure residual entitlements are calculated and provided to these workers as soon as possible."

An information session for employees will be held in Sydney next Tuesday where the workers will be able to find out information on their entitlements, along with advice from Centrelink about how Providers of Australian Government Employment Services can also assist with getting back into work.

"Centrelink staff are very experienced in handling these types of situations and understand how stressful it can be when people lose their jobs," Senator Ellison said.

"Centrelink has organised an information seminar for Tuesday, October 2 at the Max Webber Function Centre in Blacktown to provide information and support to affected workers and their families.

"Centrelink staff will be talking one-on-one with workers, encouraging them to test their eligibility for income support payments.

"These workers can also access a variety of specialist services through Centrelink.

"These include the Financial Information Service, which provides independent information on a range of topics including the impact of entitlement payouts on Centrelink payments as well as Social Workers, who can provide affected families with emotional support."

GEERS is a basic payment scheme established to assist employees who have lost their employment due to the liquidation or bankruptcy of their employer and who are owed certain employee entitlements.

GEERS covers unpaid wages, annual and long service leave payment in lieu of notice and capped redundancy pay.

Centrelink information session for McArthur Express workers

Where: Max Webber Function Centre, Level 1, Max Webber Library,
Cnr Flushcombe Rd and Alpha St, Blacktown

When: Tuesday, October 2, 12.30pm 4pm

Contact:

Emma Needham - Minister Hockey's Office - 0400334091
Michael Barrett - Senator Ellison's Office - 0419424359