Published Thursday, 21 June, 2007 at 12:00 PM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
WORKPLACE RIGHTS OMBUDSMAN A FIRST FOR QUEENSLANDERS
Queenslanders have a new advocate for rights in the workplace with the appointment of Queensland’s first Workplace Rights Ombudsman, Employment and Industrial Relations Minister John Mickel announced today.
Queensland Industrial Relations Commissioner Don Brown has been appointed to the new position.
“The appointment of such a well qualified person to the role will signal to the community that this government is committed to a ‘fair go’ in the workplace for employers and employees,” Mr Mickel said.
“Among the confusion generated by Federal WorkChoices laws, Queenslanders now have someone to turn to who understands the situation in Queensland workplaces.”
The Ombudsman’s office begin operating on 2 July 2007 with the Workplace Rights hotline already available on 1300 737 841. It was formerly known as the Queensland Fair Go Advisory Service hotline.
Mr Mickel said Mr Brown has had a diverse career including working in the finance sector, meat works, tannery and as a union official before becoming a member of the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) in 1999 and the Australian Industrial Relations Commission in 2000.
“In the current industrial environment, the Queensland Workplace Rights Ombudsman and his office will be the main port of call for those people who have been treated unfairly in the workplace,” Mr Mickel said.
“The Federal Government’s WorkChoices legislation has created a lot of uncertainty in the minds of workers and employers.
“The Queensland Government believes Queenslanders deserve better and we aim to see they get a better deal.”
The Ombudsman’s role will have the power to:
• provide information and advice to Queensland workers and employers and to promote fair and equitable work practices in Queensland workplaces;
• investigate and report on unlawful, unfair or otherwise inappropriate employment practices;
• refer instances of possible unlawful industrial relations and other work-related matters to appropriate authorities or services; and
• provide advice to the State Government on strategies that might be introduced to mitigate the negative effects of Federal WorkChoices laws, improve protections for vulnerable workers and promote best industrial relations practices in Queensland.
Mr Mickel said the new Ombudsman had more than 30 years experience in industrial relations, eight of them as a Commissioner with the QIRC, during which time he has clearly demonstrated his fairness and independence.
“The establishment of this office brings Queensland into line with the majority of other states and territories which already have workplace advocates,” he said.
Media contacts: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784
Queensland Industrial Relations Commissioner Don Brown has been appointed to the new position.
“The appointment of such a well qualified person to the role will signal to the community that this government is committed to a ‘fair go’ in the workplace for employers and employees,” Mr Mickel said.
“Among the confusion generated by Federal WorkChoices laws, Queenslanders now have someone to turn to who understands the situation in Queensland workplaces.”
The Ombudsman’s office begin operating on 2 July 2007 with the Workplace Rights hotline already available on 1300 737 841. It was formerly known as the Queensland Fair Go Advisory Service hotline.
Mr Mickel said Mr Brown has had a diverse career including working in the finance sector, meat works, tannery and as a union official before becoming a member of the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) in 1999 and the Australian Industrial Relations Commission in 2000.
“In the current industrial environment, the Queensland Workplace Rights Ombudsman and his office will be the main port of call for those people who have been treated unfairly in the workplace,” Mr Mickel said.
“The Federal Government’s WorkChoices legislation has created a lot of uncertainty in the minds of workers and employers.
“The Queensland Government believes Queenslanders deserve better and we aim to see they get a better deal.”
The Ombudsman’s role will have the power to:
• provide information and advice to Queensland workers and employers and to promote fair and equitable work practices in Queensland workplaces;
• investigate and report on unlawful, unfair or otherwise inappropriate employment practices;
• refer instances of possible unlawful industrial relations and other work-related matters to appropriate authorities or services; and
• provide advice to the State Government on strategies that might be introduced to mitigate the negative effects of Federal WorkChoices laws, improve protections for vulnerable workers and promote best industrial relations practices in Queensland.
Mr Mickel said the new Ombudsman had more than 30 years experience in industrial relations, eight of them as a Commissioner with the QIRC, during which time he has clearly demonstrated his fairness and independence.
“The establishment of this office brings Queensland into line with the majority of other states and territories which already have workplace advocates,” he said.
Media contacts: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784