QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT TO MAINTAIN FIGHT AGAINST HARSH INDUSTRIAL LAWS
Published Tuesday, 14 November, 2006 at 10:36 AM
JOINT STATEMENT
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure
The Honourable Anna Bligh
The Queensland Government has pledged to maintain its campaign against Canberra’s harsh industrial laws after the High Court today backed the Howard Government’s use of corporations law to underpin the federal IR system.
Acting Premier Anna Bligh and Employment and Industrial Relations Minister John Mickel assured Queensland workers and their families that the State had not given up overturning the laws.
“This is a real blow for workers across Australia,” Ms Bligh said.
“The first thing we’ll be doing is looking closely at the decision and taking legal advice on our options.
“We will consider a range of measures, including toughening child labour laws and helping workers hold on to their rights under common law contract provisions.
“The Queensland Government also will continue to monitor the laws and advise employees of their rights and responsibilities, as well as overseeing the fair and reasonable state IR system which covers up to 40 per cent of workers.”
Mr Mickel said the Government will be working to ensure the industrial rights of those Queensland Government workers that are now under the Work Choices regime are maintained.
“Where we can, we will act to amend legislation at the state level to return those employees to the state jurisdiction. Additional protections by other means will be put in place to protect those who will remain under Work Choices,” he said.
“I am particularly keen to see the outcomes from the Queensland Industrial Commission Inquiry into the impact of the Work Choices legislation, and what recommendations arise out of that inquiry.
“We made a submission to the inquiry backing the establishment of an independent workers advocate in an ombudsman-type role.”
Mr Mickel said the role would advise workers and promote fair industrial practices as well as investigating illegal activities by employers.
“We need this role as the Industrial Relations Commission inquiry into Work Choices has found numerous cases of workers being ripped off and being sacked without reason,” Mr Mickel said.
“Scrapping unfair dismissal and union right of entry laws and pushing unfair AWAs on to unsuspecting workers has scared employees into signing agreements which targeted existing entitlements and conditions such as overtime, penalty rates, and public holiday pay.”
The Queensland Government’s Fair Go Advisory Service and Wageline hotlines for workers needing advice and information on Work Choices or awards and conditions will also continue.
“Ultimately, the fall out from today’s decision will be a political solution that is the best response to these unfair laws,” Mr Mickel said.
“Voters will have the opportunity to show John Howard what they think at the next federal election.”
__________________________________
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
Acting Premier Anna Bligh and Employment and Industrial Relations Minister John Mickel assured Queensland workers and their families that the State had not given up overturning the laws.
“This is a real blow for workers across Australia,” Ms Bligh said.
“The first thing we’ll be doing is looking closely at the decision and taking legal advice on our options.
“We will consider a range of measures, including toughening child labour laws and helping workers hold on to their rights under common law contract provisions.
“The Queensland Government also will continue to monitor the laws and advise employees of their rights and responsibilities, as well as overseeing the fair and reasonable state IR system which covers up to 40 per cent of workers.”
Mr Mickel said the Government will be working to ensure the industrial rights of those Queensland Government workers that are now under the Work Choices regime are maintained.
“Where we can, we will act to amend legislation at the state level to return those employees to the state jurisdiction. Additional protections by other means will be put in place to protect those who will remain under Work Choices,” he said.
“I am particularly keen to see the outcomes from the Queensland Industrial Commission Inquiry into the impact of the Work Choices legislation, and what recommendations arise out of that inquiry.
“We made a submission to the inquiry backing the establishment of an independent workers advocate in an ombudsman-type role.”
Mr Mickel said the role would advise workers and promote fair industrial practices as well as investigating illegal activities by employers.
“We need this role as the Industrial Relations Commission inquiry into Work Choices has found numerous cases of workers being ripped off and being sacked without reason,” Mr Mickel said.
“Scrapping unfair dismissal and union right of entry laws and pushing unfair AWAs on to unsuspecting workers has scared employees into signing agreements which targeted existing entitlements and conditions such as overtime, penalty rates, and public holiday pay.”
The Queensland Government’s Fair Go Advisory Service and Wageline hotlines for workers needing advice and information on Work Choices or awards and conditions will also continue.
“Ultimately, the fall out from today’s decision will be a political solution that is the best response to these unfair laws,” Mr Mickel said.
“Voters will have the opportunity to show John Howard what they think at the next federal election.”
__________________________________
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.