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Friday, July 17, 2026

Pauline Hanson says businesses 'can't sack' lazy workers. What's the reality? - Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Pauline Hanson's claims that Australian businesses are "tied" to lazy workers they "can't sack," have been labelled inaccurate by some employment law experts and small business advocates.

But some leaders managing day-to-day human resources for small business suggest the reality on the ground is weighted against employers.

Senator Hanson made the comments during her National Press Club address on Wednesday, calling for a "complete overhaul" of industrial relations laws, and claiming businesses have "had enough".

"Industrial relations, I can assure you, needs a complete overhaul, because it's not working. Businesses also tell me you can't sack people these days," she said.

"[Workers are] on their phones, they don't work, they don't turn up, they actually are lazy, and businesses are tied to it. They've had enough."

However, CEO of the Small Business Association Anne Nalder disagreed with Senator Hanson's comments, saying existing laws allowed employers to dismiss staff, as long as they followed a clear process.

"It's not true that you can't sack workers," Ms Nalder said.

"But you have to follow the rules."

That includes having a valid reason — such as poor performance, misconduct or redundancy — and applying the law consistently, she said.

Australian Services Union national...



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