Factsheet 6

Take away the powers of the independent Industrial Relations Commission

Important changes coming from 1 July 2005

The Howard Government has said it will use its new Senate powers to take away many of your basic rights at work.

The Government wants to weaken the powers of the independent umpire in the workplace - the Industrial Relations Commission.

For over 100 years Australia’s state and federal Industrial Relations Commissions have acted as the independent umpire at work, settling industrial disputes and setting decent minimum standards enjoyed by all workers.

Industrial Relations Commissions have provided an independent forum where working people can take disputes with their employer if things go wrong. This has been the Australian way.

The Industrial Relations Commission is a unique Australian invention.

It is one of the reasons why Australian workplaces are safer and fairer than those in other countries, like the USA.

It has protected living standards and the Australian way of life.

The Howard Government wants, as far as possible, to get rid of all State Industrial Relations Commissions and to take powers away from the Australian Industrial Relations Commission.

The Government doesn’t want the federal Commission to set minimum wages, to help fix industrial disputes, or to consider any new award conditions.

Taking away the role of the independent umpire is a recipe for more disputes and lower workplace standards.

Download Detailed Table of Proposed Changes [jpg]

For more information call the ACTU Hotline on 1300 362 223.