Various press reports yesterday have it that the ACT Greens were advertising overseas for a fulltime worker for Simon Sheikh’s Senate campaign and planning to pay them less than Gina Rinehart’s infamous “$2 an hour” – in fact, they were going to be paid a bit of board and lodging, and the airfare. Visa, 457 issues much?
Could this really be the office of the selfsame Simon Sheikh of GetUP? Concerned with workers’ rights? Campaigning against the 457 visa and worker exploitation?
Updated reports had it that Ellen Sandell, Sheikh’s campaign manager, had “filled the position locally”. That’s great news – but it begs further questions. Are they paying this person? They suddenly found a budget? Or is the person independently wealthy and able to sustain themselves from now until September on no pay? A retiree with amazing online skills? Or, ahem, will this successful be sustained on Newstart or the disability pension? I expect Hank Jongen might have something to say about that on Today Tonight!