Introducing Australia's new Workplace Relations System
In an address to the National Press Club on 17 September 2008, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard MP outlined key elements of the Government's workplace relations reforms.
The Deputy Prime Minister has undertaken extensive consultations with unions, employers and state and territory stakeholders on the reforms.
The new workplace relations system will be built on:
- a strong safety net of 10 legislated National Employment Standards for all employees;
- a modern, simple award system that complements the National Employment Standards, providing, certainty, flexibility and stability for employers and their employees;
- an enterprise-level collective bargaining system focused on promoting productivity;
- unfair dismissal laws which balance the rights of employees to be protected from unfair dismissal with the need for employers, particularly small business, to fairly and efficiently manage their workforce; and
- a ‘one-stop shop’, Fair Work Australia, for advice and support on all workplace relations issues and enforcement of legal entitlements.
Next steps
- The legislation for the new workplace relations system known as the Substantive Bill will be introduced into the Parliament by the end of this year. It will be considered by a full Senate Committee inquiry. The Substantive Bill will replace the existing legislation, creating a new fair and flexible workplace relations system.
- The Australian Government intends to commence key elements of the new system including the bargaining framework, unfair dismissal and associated protections on
1 July 2009, following passage of the Substantive Bill.
- Productivity-based bargaining and flexibility are at the heart of the new system which will provide a stable platform for Australian workplace relations and fairness and flexibility for both employers and employees.
Want more information?
More information about the new workplace relations reforms is available from the fact sheets page.