The Australian Democrats is the only party that can deliver a complete IR plan that is widely acceptable.
We say a modern Australia needs IR reforms that deliver productivity, efficiency, jobs growth and competitive gains but it must also accord with the values and goals of a civilised first-world society. |
|
Australia needs a genuine single national unitary system agreed to with state governments, comprising four essential features:
| 1. |
An Industrial Relations Commission - a single, strong, independent, pre-eminent industrial relations tribunal that is appointed on merit and: |
| |
> |
exercises judicial powers to determine awards, sets minimum wages, approves agreements and resolve disputes |
| |
> |
absorbs the state industrial relations commissions |
| |
> |
absorbs the federal Employment Advocate and Fair Pay Commission functions |
| 2. |
A Workplace Regulator - a single, national, strong, independent workplace regulator that: |
| |
> |
absorbs the regulatory functions of the state departmental inspectorates |
| |
> |
absorbs the regulatory functions of the Office of Workplace Services and the Australian Building and Construction Commission |
| |
> |
ends federal ministerial discretionary and interventionist regulatory powers |
| 3. |
A genuine safety net - underpinned by the minimum wage, minimum conditions and awards that has: |
| |
> |
fair and balanced minimum wage determinations made annually, taking into account living standards, skills, training, disabilities, anti-discrimination provisions, pay equity and relevant tax and government transfer payments |
| |
> |
at least 8 minimum conditions for all workers, whether on statutory or common law agreements including carers and compassionate leave, public holidays, termination of employment and redundancy |
| |
> |
national and industry-based, simplified awards with at least 16 allowable matters |
| 4. |
A genuine flexible bargaining system – that: |
| |
> |
makes a mix of industrial instruments available - union and non-union; collective and individual agreements; statutory and common-law |
| |
> |
enshrines the right to collectively bargain, genuinely and in good faith |
| |
> |
enshrines freedom of association |
| |
> |
abolishes WorkChoices AWAs, replacing them with statutory individual agreements with a global no-disadvantage test, referenced back to the relevant award |
For more on why Australia needs a genuine single national unitary system, please download our document A Unitary System: A firm foundation for modern industrial relations [pdf]
We will be a check on the
IR excesses of the major parties
The Democrats in the balance of power in the Senate, will bring back balance, decency and fairness, for workers and employers, for a modern, civilised economy, for families, and for small business
The Democrats have always been IR modernisers, but have followed clear principles.
The Democrats supported the important advances made by the first wave of the Keating Labor industrial relations reforms in 1993, and supported many of the second wave initiatives in the Howard Coalition reforms of 1996.
In 1996 the Democrats negotiated 176 fair and balanced changes to the Workplace Relations Act, which then contributed materially to our economic success, jobs growth and productivity.
From 1996-2005, 18 IR bills were passed, the majority of them only after fair and balanced amendments negotiated by the Democrats. But, to the chagrin of members of the Coalition who were ideologues, we never let them go too far.
Read our Media Release calling for a single system
Download our leaflet summarising our position
Workplace Relations
Action Plans
|
