The May 18 Federal election is your chance to decide on Australia’s leadership for the next three years. The major parties have campaigned long and hard along the trail, outlining their policies for the future of the country. Over the past week though, their respective campaigns have descended into chaos. The incumbent has been egged (or attempted) and things got a little bit too personal for the challenger.

As a professional though, the question “How will the results of the election affect my career?” is probably at the forefront of your mind. Under the Coalition, the gig economy, outsourcing and insecure work have gone largely unchecked. CEO Chris Walton summed it up best when he said “unscrupulous employers” are abusing the current system to dodge their obligations to their employees. For example: If your job transfers your job to the gig economy, you’ll most likely have to get an ABN so these employers can avoid paying your entitlements, like superannuation. There is currently very little protection for workers whose careers are in danger of being transferred to the gig economy, sent offshore or outsourced.

This is not just limited to call centres or the ICT industry. Studies suggest that up to 850,000 jobs including those in STEM are at risk under the current offshoring arrangements.

A rebalance between employer/employee is most evident with our members in pharmacy. From 2017, their penalty rates have been cut and will continue should the Coalition win the election. When the cuts were introduced, employers championed that they would hire more staff. This hasn’t been the case, and its baffling that the Coalition is pursuing further moves to cut the wages of those who can least afford them. While the cuts might not directly impact your career, take a moment to consider the pharmacist whose services you’ll need at 8:00 AM on Saturday morning. While you’re enjoying your weekend, they are serving you and the rest of the community.

We believe they should be properly compensated for providing a professional service outside what are considered normal working hours. The current system remains heavily skewed to the employer. When asked about the election, “It’s a simple choice,” Chris said. “We can either bury our heads in the sand or change the rules.” Whoever wins this election, it’s our role as your association to represent and advocate for your profession. Both major parties have made some bold claims on the campaign trail and we will hold them accountable for these pre-election promises.