Matthew Spencer's Story

Hi, my name is Matthew Spencer.

I have worked at the Terang and District Co-op since I turned 15. Just a few days before before my 17th birthday in February this year I was told that I could no longer work my after school shift because of the new IR laws that says I must work no less than 3 hours a day.I finished school at 3.30pm and started work at 4.00pm and the store closed at 5.30pm. I was happy with that and so were my parents and it suited my employer...

that I work for only 1.5 hours after school but unfortunately not so the unions and the government. I was put off from working after school and can only now work every second Sunday morning.

Over the 3 years that I had worked I saved my money to buy a car when I turned 18. Mum and Dad helped me come up with the extra money to buy my car and I was to pay them off. I cant do that now. The government said that no person, family or employer would be worse off with new workplace laws. Well my family and myself are worse off. I don't have an after school job and my parents are paying most of the running costs on my car

The job gave me confidence, skills, responsibility and experience which I believe will help me to obtain employment when I leave school. I worry that other kids in rural areas in particular are not going to be able to get this experience now the rules have changed. What sort of message is this sending to people my age.

Leticia and I started a petition and gathered 1650 signatures and then we took it to Julia Gillard's office when she was Minister for employment and workplace relations. Kevin Rudd said on the Neil Mitchell program in February that he would get something sorted out. But nothing has been done and we are still not working. Our case has gone to a hearing at which they said they would not change the law so kids could work. This law is UNFAIR introduced by a so called FAIRWORK Australia. I am able to vote at the next election and have a say I hope that many more like myself have their say. But many of those affected can't vote, so I was happy to join up with ComeOnAustralia.com so everyday people can take action to help.

Please sign our new on-line petition and send an email to your local MP asking them to support a commonsense change.

Matthew Spencer