The Western Australian Government has released a draft Bill for public comment to reform the Sate’s industrial relations system.

 

State Commerce Minister Simon O’Brien has tabled the Labour Relations Legislation Amendment and Repeal Bill 2012 before State Parliament.

 

 

Mr O’Brien said the draft Bill shows that the Government is serious about its desire to modernise the Stat’e Industrial relations laws and to consult with a broad range of stakeholders.

 

“The draft Bill will be open for public comment until January 31, 2013.  If the Government is re-elected in 2013, it will progress legislation taking into account feedback from the consultation process,” he said.

 

“I anticipate that many of these changes, particularly those involving ‘right of entry’ and ‘unfair dismissal’, will be welcomed by the small business community.

 

“The changes outlined in the draft Bill will help bring the State’s industrial relations system into the 21st century.  There are currently 200 private sector awards, many of which are outdated and do not reflect contemporary workplaces.  There will be a requirement for the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission to make new modern awards for the private sector.”

 

Key changes proposed by the draft Bill include:

  • broadly harmonising State unfair dismissal and ‘right of entry’ laws with the Federal Government’s Fair Work Act 2009 to ensure a better balance between the rights of employers and employees
  • updating statutory minimum conditions of employment
  • streamlining the process for setting State minimum wages
  • streamlining the structure of the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission, while retaining its strong conciliation and arbitration powers.

 

More information can be found here