The Nationals voted with the Liberals to freeze the pay of essential workers. Nurses, firefighters, police and many more risk their own health or safety to keep us all safe. But the Nationals refused to back them. When the Labor and minor parties teamed up to stop the pay freeze in Parliament, the Nationals and Liberals took take the case the court. They were determined to freeze the pay of essential workers. 

The Nationals also voted with the Liberals to limit any future pay rises for essential workers. Nurses, firefighters, police and many more will now have all future pay rises limited to no more than 1.5% – forever. Labor and minor parties opposed these changes.

The NSW Government is the largest employer in Australia – larger than any business. This means the Nationals and Liberals in Government are setting a standard of pay freezes and pay caps for all workers. Workers have been the heroes of the pandemic, but we have seen wages frozen, hours cut and co-workers or family lose work.