The Government has acted to give businesses and workers certainty about conditions for casual employees by intervening in Workpac v Rossato currently before the Federal Court, Business Council chief executive Jennifer Westacott said today.

 “Recent federal court rulings have left many businesses, particularly smaller ones, without the clarity they need to keep growing and creating jobs, we welcome the government’s action to restore it.

 “Casual workers are rightly paid a premium. Employees who have received a special loading as a casual shouldn’t also be able to claim annual leave and redundancy entitlements.

 “Casual work can be a convenient option for workers seeking greater freedom to choose their own hours, just as it helps keep businesses competitive, growing and employing more people.

 “Workers often choose the benefits of a higher hourly rate of pay and the convenience of not being tied to a specific workplace or job and they should continue to be able to do so.”