This is The Australian reporting on Federal Small Business Minister Bruce Billson on 30 October 2013:
Background
WorkChoices:
Treatment of
Grafton workers lower than a snake's belly 6 February 2009:
WorkChoices:
The primary aim of WorkChoices was to
individualise employment relations and, as a consequence, to marginalise both
trade unions and industrial tribunals. Further aims of WorkChoices included:
To offer employers greater flexibility
in the terms and conditions on which they could employ workers;
To reduce the role played by the
Australian Industrial Relations Commission in determining employment conditions
and resolving industrial disputes;
To make it more difficult for unions
to enter workplaces or organise industrial action; and
To reduce the exposure of employers to
unfair dismissal claims.
The system was heavily criticised on
the basis that many low-income earners and small business employees were being
hurt by the legislation. They argued that as a result of WorkChoices they were
losing conditions at work, penalty rates and overtime were being taken away,
and too many of them were being unfairly dismissed, with little remedial action
available.
Directors of companies
used to hire workers for the parent company operating Grafton abattoir are
still giving former workers (sacked without receiving their due entitlements)
the runaround.
It seems that no-one is taking responsibility.
And now Liberals MP Bronwyn Bishop is jumping on the bandwagon with offers of help.
Yep, Bronnie - you helped set up the WorkChoices legislation which virtually encouraged employers to shaft workers and now you want to help.
Too little, too late, mate.
It seems that no-one is taking responsibility.
And now Liberals MP Bronwyn Bishop is jumping on the bandwagon with offers of help.
Yep, Bronnie - you helped set up the WorkChoices legislation which virtually encouraged employers to shaft workers and now you want to help.
Too little, too late, mate.
WorkChoices was replaced by the Fair Work Act which came into operation on 1 July 2009.
