In the June edition of your Member Benefits Update we bring you news of an exciting new car buying service for union members, tips on how to get your finances in order in the new financial year, there’s a great insurance offering, we have an update on the minimum wage outcome plus, as always, there’s some great DVDs to win!
Member Benefits Update June 2016
Photo: Volunteers getting ready to knock on doors in the marginal seat of Cowan, WA on Sunday 29th May – photo courtesy of UnionsWA
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New financial year money makeoverWhen 1 July ticks over try our five simple steps to get your finances in great shape for the 12 months ahead. A new financial year is the ideal time to put the past behind you and start afresh with good money management. We offer five ‘easy as’ strategies to help you get cracking. Try one or try them all to get more from your money over the next 12 months; 1. Pay less for your banking If you want to save money (and who doesn’t?) it pays to cast an eye over your key financial products to be sure you’re still getting a great deal. First, check your everyday account statements. If it turns out you’re being dinged for debit cards, socked with ATM charges, and slugged with regular account-keeping fees, it could be time to move on. The days when we had to put up with those costs are gone. Take a look at the new breed of everyday accounts that charge zero account keeping fees. It’s not hard to make the switch. |
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Knock for a better futureOver the weekend of 28th and 29th May union members knocked on doors and had one on one conversations with people in marginal electorates right across the country. One thing is certain, people everywhere are concerned about where Australia is headed under the current government and many have pledged to put the Liberals last on election day. There’s still time to volunteer to knock for a better future if you live in NSW and Victoria. We are conducting door knocking on Saturday 4th, Sunday 5th and Saturday 18th June. NSW Saturday 4th June – South Grafton Victoria Saturday 4th June – Frankston Click on the above links to register your interest or head to our Door Knock page at Australian Unions for more information. Also, check out our great video on Facebook of last weekend’s activities. |
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 Photo: Kerry from WA pledges to put the Liberals last on election day (photo courtesy of UnionsWA). |
Take the Pledge!Our living standards make Australia great, but the Liberals are undermining them. The Federal Budget was an opportunity to reverse the damage done by Tony Abbott and to act to make multinational corporations pay their fair share of tax. Instead, Malcolm Turnbull is entrenching inequality by keeping deep cuts to health and education and creating an employment scheme which will see young people working for $4 an hour. We can stop them. Pledge to put them last this election. |
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The Motor Report PartnershipThis month we welcome the Motor Report to the Australian Unions Member Benefits program. The ACTU is pleased to announce this newly formed partnership with themotorreport.com.au, a car review site which has been established for over 9 years. When it comes time to buy a new car, themotorreport.com.au has all the information to make your decision easier.
Be able to make the correct informed decision for you or your family and get a great deal on a new car all in the one place. So check out the specials exclusive to union members at www.themotorreport.com.au/unions |
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New Member Benefits mobile website – with great offersWe have launched a new mobile friendly version of the secure Australian Unions Member Benefits website – where you can continue to access all of your benefits in one convenient place. Our current offers include:
The new site has been designed to give members a better experience with improved functionality. This is a free program available to affiliated union members. Make sure you register now for access to our secure site.
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Do your need insurance?Union members can access ISinsured for a range of insurance needs. ISinsured delivers good-value, dependable insurance solutions that you can count on. ISinsured products include home and contents, car and landlord insurance.
Find out more. Insurance for unions IFS Insurance Solutions Pty Ltd – ABN 16 070 588 108 AFSL: 241506 |
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Community short film competitionCalling all film-makers. Entries are now open for the Independent Film Festival and Competition on the theme of community and solidarity. Supported by MEAA and Media Super, Tales of Community and Solidarity seeks to encourage workers and communities to tell their own stories of building community and solidarity. Prizes will be awarded and the top ten entries in each category will be shown as a part of the Walkley Foundation’s Storyology 2016 program in August. A panel of esteemed film makers and stakeholders, including ACTU President Ged Kearney, will judge the entries. Entries close on 29th July 2016. You can find more information on Tales of Community and Solidarity Facebook page. |
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Minimum wage rise not enough for 1.8 lowest paid AustraliansAustralia’s 1.8 million lowest paid workers will receive a $15.80, or 2.4%, increase to their weekly pay packets following the Fair Work Commission’s decision in the annual wage case on Tuesday 31 May. This increase is less than the 2015 rise of $16 per week and is still not enough to close the growing gap between average and minimum wages that is putting enormous pressure on our lowest paid. As a result of this decision the national minimum wage will be just 44.8 % of average weekly ordinary time earnings, due mainly to wage growth being flat across the board. Speaking after the decision on Tuesday ACTU Secretary, Dave Oliver, said “Unions argued for a $30 a week increase in the minimum wage for 1.86 million Australian workers, it’s only through our actions that the wage was lifted at all.” |
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Superannuation changesLast month’s budget contained a substantial number of proposed changes to superannuation. It’s important to be aware that the proposed changes were not legislated before the election was called, so will only have a chance to be legislated if the Turnbull Coalition Government is re-elected on 2 July. Industry Super Australia, who represents 15 industry super funds, has published summary of the changes to superannuation announced by both major parties. Find out more on the Industry Super Australia website. |
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The team at Australian Unions {{ broadcaster.name }}
australianunions.org.au/member_benefits
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Member Benefits Update June 2016