|
FEDERAL INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS CHANGES – STILL COMING . . . In our June bulletin, we outlined the federal government’s proposals for a national industrial relations system. However, little further detail has been forthcoming since that time and legislation to implement the government’s proposals is still being drafted. It is likely that the proposed legislation will need to be released within the next month if the legislation is to be passed by the federal parliament before the end of the year. The federal Workplace Relations Minister, Kevin Andrews, has said that employees will be guaranteed five minimum conditions in workplace agreements under the new system covering minimum wages, weekly working hours, annual leave, sick leave and parental leave. It is likely that there will be a period of some uncertainty whilst the new laws are bedded down. Several states have indicated their intention to challenge the new laws on constitutional grounds and there may also be an increased role for common law remedies in employment related matters.
|