PARLIAMENT PASSES NEW STATE LAWS TO HELP OFFSET WORK CHOICE IMPACT ON QUEENSLANDERS
Published Tuesday, 22 May, 2007 at 06:55 PM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
New laws were passed in Parliament tonight that will help alleviate the impact of Work Choices on Queensland workers and their families, Employment and Industrial Relations Minister John Mickel said.
Mr Mickel said young workers would benefit from changes to the state’s industrial legislation and other laws, designed to offset the harshest aspects of Work Choices.
"These changes give scope for young workers to be compensated for lost entitlements from unfair agreements.
"This contrasts with the federal governments sham fairness test that does nothing for workers who have already lost entitlements under AWA’s," he said.
The amendments will set up an ombudsman’s office to promote fair work practices, while other changes will enshrine the rights of child workers. A low cost common law jurisdiction for employees on low incomes who cannot afford the costs of litigation in the courts to enforce conditions outside of formal agreements will also be established.
The changes will facilitiate the agreement making and dispute resolution powers of the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission and extend proportionate long service leave provisions for some employees.
“The Queensland Workplace Rights Office will be a one-stop-shop offering help to workers and promoting fair industrial relations practices,” Mr Mickel said.
“Amendments to Magistrates Court Act 1921, which take effect from January 1 2008 establish a specialist, low cost employment jurisdiction for breach of contract claims by employees on low incomes who would not normally be able to afford the costs of litigation in the courts.
“Workers under the state system can simply have their cases resolved in the QIRC but those under Work Choices have to take costly and lengthy action involving lawyers in the federal or civil courts. This intiative will rectify that imbalance.”
Mr Mickel said the Industrial Relations Act and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2007 allowed a no-disadvantage test to be used in assessing employment entitlements or protections for workers under 18 years entering into federal agreements, ensuring they were not worse off than if employed under an award.
“Federal laws override state industrial laws but the welfare of young people remains a state priority and we’ll be ensuring that they have a fair rate of pay, fair working conditions, and balanced unfair dismissal rights,” he said.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion on 322 46784
May 22, 2007
Mr Mickel said young workers would benefit from changes to the state’s industrial legislation and other laws, designed to offset the harshest aspects of Work Choices.
"These changes give scope for young workers to be compensated for lost entitlements from unfair agreements.
"This contrasts with the federal governments sham fairness test that does nothing for workers who have already lost entitlements under AWA’s," he said.
The amendments will set up an ombudsman’s office to promote fair work practices, while other changes will enshrine the rights of child workers. A low cost common law jurisdiction for employees on low incomes who cannot afford the costs of litigation in the courts to enforce conditions outside of formal agreements will also be established.
The changes will facilitiate the agreement making and dispute resolution powers of the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission and extend proportionate long service leave provisions for some employees.
“The Queensland Workplace Rights Office will be a one-stop-shop offering help to workers and promoting fair industrial relations practices,” Mr Mickel said.
“Amendments to Magistrates Court Act 1921, which take effect from January 1 2008 establish a specialist, low cost employment jurisdiction for breach of contract claims by employees on low incomes who would not normally be able to afford the costs of litigation in the courts.
“Workers under the state system can simply have their cases resolved in the QIRC but those under Work Choices have to take costly and lengthy action involving lawyers in the federal or civil courts. This intiative will rectify that imbalance.”
Mr Mickel said the Industrial Relations Act and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2007 allowed a no-disadvantage test to be used in assessing employment entitlements or protections for workers under 18 years entering into federal agreements, ensuring they were not worse off than if employed under an award.
“Federal laws override state industrial laws but the welfare of young people remains a state priority and we’ll be ensuring that they have a fair rate of pay, fair working conditions, and balanced unfair dismissal rights,” he said.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion on 322 46784
May 22, 2007