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9:16PM Sunday 07 September, 2008 Sunshine Coast weather Mostly sunny min 10° - max 23°

Zoo denies allegations of unfair pay

12:00a.m. 19th May 2008

| By Amy Remeikis

Australia Zoo officials have emphatically denied allegations they are underpaying their staff.

Media reports yesterday claimed the multi-million-dollar Sunshine Coast tourist attraction made famous by the late Steve Irwin had failed to offer some of its staff fair workplace agreements.

The reports alleged it not only underpaid staff but also stripped rest breaks and other penalties from them, based on a leaked letter to a staff member from the Workplace Authority.

It is understood the letter, dated May 2, pertained to a staff member who worked in the zoo’s food courts.

The government body reportedly ordered the zoo dissolve the unfair agreement and provide backpay to the aggrieved staff members.

Changes to the federal government industrial laws mean no new AWAs can be issued although those drawn up before the change in November last year remain valid.

However, employers who have issued AWAs under the previous government’s standards, which are found to be unfair and contrary to the Australian Fair Pay and Conditions Standard, may be ordered to change them.

The Workplace Authority is believed to have found the zoo contravened three protected workplace conditions: rest breaks, penalty rates and monetary allowances.

However, Australia Zoo issued a statement yesterday which said: “Australia Zoo employees are paid more than required by the federal government”.

The zoo spokesperson declined to go into any further detail.

Recent Comments

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Posted by SteveLizabeth3 from Baton Rouge USA
on 19 May, 2008 at 12:25 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Here we go again...As soon as one issue is settled everyone is ready to start something else with this Zoo. Please, leave Terri, her children, & extended family alone. This is getting a little old. Or maybe she is doing something right, & that's what certain people can't stand.
Posted by snkoz from alexandra headland
on 19 May, 2008 at 6:51 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
This is ridiculous. I the other side of the globe, and we bought a family pass so we've been to the zoo a few times. Each time I go, I make a point of asking staff if they like their job, how much fun it is, etc. I have NEVER heard one negative thing being said about Australia Zoo, or Terri.

Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting Terri. She was a gracious lady, who posed for a photo with our family. I thanked her for her continuing commitment to animal conservation and think that she's continuing to do a great service to all.

Those who bash Terri for her entrepreneurialism, ought to think twice about biting the hand that feeds them. She is now a major employer on the coast, and without Australia Zoo, there's not alot of reasons to come to the Sunshine Coast. Yes, the coast is nice but so are other parts of Australia.

Terri, you're doing a great job....and I do get the feeling your employees love ya. Hang in there. This too will pass.
Posted by moretotell from Maroochydore
on 19 May, 2008 at 7:42 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Is it great when people leap to the defence of others when they know nothing about them. The fact is the Australia Zoo has many issues and truth will always come out. People wake up and further maybe paying the same attention to issues in the your community would make a real difference and some celebrity.
Posted by My_2_cents from Southern end
on 19 May, 2008 at 8:04 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Moretotell (sorry, picking on you for laughs a bit this morning) - didn't you read the comment above ? She posed for photos with them !!! What more proof do you need that AWAs weren't abused ? ... PHOTOS !!! (and she's on TV all the time)

Sheesh, some people just don't accept overwhelming evidence ?! Oh, nobody has given anything but flimsy anecdotal evidence (and would you really expect an employee, in their workplace, to say "Nah, the job sucks, the bosses suck, the conditions are miserable and the animals are neglected when there are no cameras around ... have a great visit to Australia Zoo.)

*** I don't know that any of those things are the case and I'm not suggesting they are - I'm merely pointing out that an employee wouldn't say it to a stranger ... potentially in front of the boss ***
Posted by iknow_3 from Glasshouse Mountains
on 19 May, 2008 at 8:55 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Terri is not the boss of the Foodcourt at the Zoo. As a matter of fact it is assumed that she is, but it is a separate identity, but still in the family. So stop blaming Terri, her passion is the animal side of the business.
Posted by mikanos from ilkley
on 19 May, 2008 at 9:50 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I believe the Zoo does underpay. The Feeding Frenzy side I am talking about. When you are on your way to work after a 20 minute drive they will cancel you as you turn up or be 5 mins away. You are not doing yourself any favours by working there - go and see for yourself how many staff they go through
Posted by The_Supervisor from Nambour
on 19 May, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I have heard this story about the Zoo on a few occasions over the years. Maybe there's something in it, maybe not?

It wouldn't be the first big business that's tried to shaft staff members...seems to be a common trend now that accountants have taken over the World!!
Posted by snkoz from alexandra headland
on 19 May, 2008 at 10:46 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
To all you bruisers throwing harshness towards Terri, I ask you: "What difference can YOU make?" Since when is it HER responsibility to ensure that there are no cry babies out there???

I'd like to see you do half the job she does. I bet you couldn't even get through one day, much less all that she's put up with.
Posted by alwaysright from maroochydore
on 19 May, 2008 at 12:01 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
If the workplace authority ordered Australia Zoo to dissolve an unfair workplace agreement and pay backpay (as the articles says), it seems pretty obvious to me that they had been underpaying staff.

Also I'm not sure how this article has been interpreted as a sledge against Terri, as her name isn't even mentioned once. I doubt she would know the pay rate and specific contract details of every single staff member at the zoo.
Posted by Jewel from Maroochydore
on 19 May, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Oh Yeah here we go again.......another zoo story! This is definitely a case of the 'tale poppy syndrome' at its ugliest once again! And to cap things off I happening to be browsing through a womens mag the other day in the supermarket queue and yes guess what another zoo story of Terri saying that she now looks too fit and fabulous and far too sexy!! OMG what next. I say goodonya Terri, you are doing a wonderful job and look wonderful too.
Posted by POSSS from buderim
on 19 May, 2008 at 12:42 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I have worked at the food court at Australia Zoo and recieved a letter saying my AWA was not fair. I left and have a new job. But in all fairness to Terri she is not the boss of the food court it is her sister in law. So dont pick on Terri for this one. A lot of staff are unhappy there but hey they are working. I am sure it will all be resolved. Why leak a letter to the press about a private matter. Crickey!
Posted by brewer from Bribie
on 19 May, 2008 at 2:47 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I think the food court would be hell to run as during some hours of the day only minimal staff is needed and other you need well more than triple. Perhaps as the zoo grows and stability in customer numbers, times and hours, necessary staff is easier to project things will get easier for everyone. It might be hell getting caught up in the pandamonium but i think the Muscillo's deserve a medal for effort and accomplishment. It would be enough to put on you on valium.
Posted by wordz3175 from Caloundra
on 19 May, 2008 at 2:50 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
If Terri is not the boss of the food court and her sister in law is, then how is it that she,Terri, can be held at fault by some people.The sister in law - who by the way, has to be one of Steves sisters and a "real" Irwin,not one (and a yank at that!) who married into the family, must surely have to report to the management team about anything to do with the food court. If the wages are not being paid correctly then they need to be fixed up and promptly. Also if need be back pay should be paid.

I find it interesting, the amount of info that is being dragged out since Steve died and have to wonder just how much of it was going on, prior to his death that we just never heard about, because he was/is an Australian Icon.

Time to find a new, news story to follow and leave those who are directly involved with Australia Zoo to sort things out. I am and I am sure many others feel the same, sick of hearing so much about the Zoo and what goes on there. As far as I can see Terri is damned if she does and damned if she doesn't.

If you don't like the Zoo (and I don't) then don't go. If you don't like the working conditions then don't work there. Simple really.
Posted by wallet72 from Pelican Waters
on 19 May, 2008 at 3:20 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
This type of sensationalist pseudo journalism is the reason newspapers are dying.

A leaked letter from one person turns into a full blown attack on Terri Irwin and the Zoo. This not only happens to the zoo, but anyone that seems to have a higher than normal profile in the public eye.

Forget getting both sides of the story and presenting a balanced article, just get the snippet of allegation that is the most sensational, make a half assed attempt at getting a response from the other side of the story and then just beat it up as far as it will go.

I think I can hear the corpse of 'ethics' rolling over in it's grave.

Ed: The zoo was offered the opportunity to respond to the allegation, but declined to offer any detail other than that given in the article. The Daily has, and is, making every effort possible to present both sides of the story.
Posted by iknow_3 from Glasshouse Mountains
on 19 May, 2008 at 3:28 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
The Foodcourt is not Terri's responsibility, im sure she wouldn't know the staff who work in that section of the zoo and it would be good if Terri spoke personally to some of the staff members of the Foodcourt so she can sort out the morale problems.

To snkoz of Alexandra Headlands if you are so passionate about this, why dont you get a job in the food section and come back with a sensible comment.
Posted by atapro from Noosaville
on 19 May, 2008 at 4:31 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
For heaven sake. I don't care who is doing what to whom in Crocktasia. I just don't care.

There is a whole management structure out there to help Terri run the place. Whether or not they are doing their jobs properly is between them, Terri and the employees.

I met Terri a couple of times soon after she first married Steve and I found her a charming and very impressive young lady who clearly cared a great deal for Steve. I doubt that that had changed very much in the intervening years.

I don't envy Terri at all in having to suddenly and unexpectedly take over the reigns of the Zoo, international business interests and Bindi's wellbeing. I think that she has done a pretty good job personally. She has probably let less things fall through the cracks than most of us would have if we were placed in the same position.

Australia Zoo, Terri and Bindi Irwin are major attractions and assets for the Sunshine Coast. It's time that we started treating them as such.
Posted by iknow_3 from Glasshouse Mountains
on 19 May, 2008 at 5:21 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
To atapro Noosaville. What about poor little Bob, he doesn't even get mentioned.
Posted by atapro from Noosaville
on 19 May, 2008 at 7:12 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Yes. Thanks iknow_3. And Bob Jr as well!
Posted by snkoz from alexandra headland
on 19 May, 2008 at 7:57 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
To Iknow 3....It so happens, I do have a job. No, it's not in a food court....That's why I went to university, so at this stage of life, I am fortunate to not have to do that sort of job. BUT...I have had my fair share of jobs like that, so I do know what it is like.

Really easy for you to tell Terri what to do, suggest she talk to her employees...etc. How do you know she's not doing that?

Assume...well, you know what assume means...
Posted by Superdooper from Pelican Waters
on 20 May, 2008 at 2:21 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Maybe everything related to the zoo boils down to; no experience...
After all nobody has done this before and Teri herself has no management history etc.. and as for the management of the zoo including the food area, well...... lets just say, its like winning the lotto for them. Rags to riches.

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