For once I have to admit I'm struggling to understand something.
I have no idea what is in the Government's new IR laws and I really don't want to have to restort to reading the legislation (I hate reading legislation). But there seems to be a shroud of mystery surrounding exactly what it is that our Federal Government is changing.
All we know is that there are changes.
I'm not sure if the reason for this is because the government is relying on everyone to love and accept the new laws because they're not Work Choices. If Julie Bishop's comment that the new legislation is even more complex is correct, we should all be very worried. Particularly those of us in the business community.
I have, as with all legal and compliance issues, consulted with CCH on the topic. There is nothing. There is not even a guide availible yet, which is somewhat distrubring as most firms offering legal information for businesses, like CCH, have them published when the legislation is still in draft.
It's an uncomfortable shroud of silence, which needs to be questioned, regardless of the Oppositions decision to not challenge the legislation.
http://www.cch.com.au/au/MiscPages/MiscPage.aspx?ID=25
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• 19/3/2008 - workplace relations
There is also a 99 page information memorandum which goes into greater details at the same page. But in regards to the Bill's complexity, it's hard to unscramble an egg.
Let it be perfectly clear. Under these new laws, if a worker wants an individual agreement, and the employer consents, it would be illegal to enter into an agreement which derogated from the underpinning award. In this day and age this is blatent inefficiency. Such a regressive step and AWAs will be back before long I predict (albeit) with the old no-disadvantage test which worked fine).