A senior industrial relations judge says there is “no compelling impetus in fact or in substance” for a major overhaul of Australia’s IR system. The vice-president of the NSW Industrial Relations Commission, Justice Walton, told a symposium at Sydney University: I suspect that the true distinguishing feature of the proposed reforms is that they challenge [...]
The Clerk of the Senate, Harry Evans, has criticised the Government’s industrial relations propaganda plans, saying they lacked transparency and accountability, and might be unconstitutional. The Government responded by suggesting — hypothetically, of course — that Evans uses amphetamines. When grilled by Coalition Senators, the Clerk explained why he raised his concerns: “Now, if you [...]
The ACTU has pounced on Kevin Andrews’ suggestion of a Senate inquiry into the industrial relations legislation, but the Government is not keen. Liberal Senator George Brandis said the idea is “stupid” because, “There’s nothing in this for us.” He’s worried that people will hear about how the changes will impact on their rights. A [...]
Alongside the Government’s major IR overhaul, it is implementing a number of other reforms with serious ramifications for workers. For example, the Government wants to “protect” independent contractors from “interfering third parties” — including unions who represent those same contractors. This will effectively ban unions in industries like the transport industry. The TWU is concerned [...]
The president of the WA Nationals, Wendy Duncan, says the party is wary of extreme changes to the IR system. “If the dismissal is unfair then workers should have some redress,” she said after debate at the Nationals’ WA conference. “The Nationals really are wary of too much freedom in IR policy. We have to [...]
Working families have won a significant case at the Industrial Relations Commission, thanks to the efforts of the union movement. New parents will now have a right to ask for up to two years unpaid parental leave, and their boss will have to genuinely consider the request. They will also be able to request part-time [...]
Catholic Cardinal George Pell and Anglican Archbishop Jensen have joined an “hallelujah chorus” against the IR reforms. Dr Jensen said the changes would “shift the differential of power in favour of employers, who can have a propensity to mistreat workers in the interests of the business.” Cardinal Pell, who had been criticised for previously refusing [...]
A leaked DEWR document has revealed key aspects of the Government’s coming IR propaganda blitz, including its focus on “retention of the Australian way of life.” The ACTU points out that the Australian way of life is currently supported by guaranteed minimum employment conditions, which Howard is trying to scrap. It has also been revealed [...]
The latest Newspoll has Labor ahead 51-49 on a 2PP basis. ACNielsen has a 52-48 split in Labor’s favour. Steve Bracks thinks the IR campaign explains Labor’s good showing. Beazley’s wishy-washy stance on AWAs certainly makes him look indecisive, and probably explains (at least in part) why his personal approval rating didn’t increase with the [...]
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