Published Friday, 27 April, 2007 at 05:45 PM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
FEDS CANED FOR PATHETIC SERVICE TO WORKERS
Debt collectors may soon have to call on Federal Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Joe Hockey after the Queensland Government this week sent him a bill for services provided by the state because the Commonwealth had abdicated its responsibilities to workers.
Queensland Employment and Industrial Relations Minister John Mickel said
The Howard Government owed Queensland $243,000 for services provided to workers and employers on federal industrial matters under Work Choices.
“The Queensland Department of Employment and Industrial Relations, under contract from the Commonwealth between 1 July 1998 and 30 June 2006, had provided information and compliance services on federal legislation and industrial instruments to employers and employees covered federally,” Mr Mickel said.
“Since the introduction of Work Choices, many customers calling the State Government’s Wageline and Fair Go Queensland hotlines have been referred by Work Choices Infoline staff. Other customers prefer to contact our services because they are more efficient and have more information – even about federal matters.”
Mr Mickel said the Queensland Government had picked up the slack created by the poor information provided under Work Choices to help business and employers but now wanted compensation for the growing cost.
“Since 1 July 2006 when the Queensland Government was no longer contracted to provide a service to federal industrial relations customers, we have serviced more than 48,000 callers seeking information and advice on federal matters at a cost of $243,000,” Mr Mickel said.
“We’ve carried Joe Hockey and John Howard for long enough. They should put up or shut up now because workers and employers in this state deserve a fair go.”
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349
27 April, 2007
Queensland Employment and Industrial Relations Minister John Mickel said
The Howard Government owed Queensland $243,000 for services provided to workers and employers on federal industrial matters under Work Choices.
“The Queensland Department of Employment and Industrial Relations, under contract from the Commonwealth between 1 July 1998 and 30 June 2006, had provided information and compliance services on federal legislation and industrial instruments to employers and employees covered federally,” Mr Mickel said.
“Since the introduction of Work Choices, many customers calling the State Government’s Wageline and Fair Go Queensland hotlines have been referred by Work Choices Infoline staff. Other customers prefer to contact our services because they are more efficient and have more information – even about federal matters.”
Mr Mickel said the Queensland Government had picked up the slack created by the poor information provided under Work Choices to help business and employers but now wanted compensation for the growing cost.
“Since 1 July 2006 when the Queensland Government was no longer contracted to provide a service to federal industrial relations customers, we have serviced more than 48,000 callers seeking information and advice on federal matters at a cost of $243,000,” Mr Mickel said.
“We’ve carried Joe Hockey and John Howard for long enough. They should put up or shut up now because workers and employers in this state deserve a fair go.”
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349
27 April, 2007