Australias new Workplace Relations System

From 1 July 2009, there will be a new workplace relations system in Australia.
The new system is apparently designed to balance the needs of employees and
employers but we here at WCV's don't believe a word of that!
If you go by past experiences, the government will only implement the
amendments they want to, not what is right to. And this is how it goes...

Key elements of the new system.

The Fair Work Act 2009 delivers on key Government election commitments,
and will put in place a new workplace relations system built on:
a fair and comprehensive safety net of minimum employment conditions
a system that has at its heart bargaining in good faith at the enterprise level
protections from unfair dismissal for all employees
protection for the low-paid
a balance between work and family life, and
the right to be represented in the workplace.
Consistent with election commitments, new modern awards and a set of ten
National Employment Standards will commence on 1 January 2010.

A new industrial umpire.

The Fair Work Act 2009 establishes a new independent
umpire, Fair Work Australia, to oversee the new national workplace relations
system. The seven existing workplace relations agencies will be amalgamated
to form a new institutional framework comprising Fair Work Australia and the
Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Fair Work Australia and the Fair Work Ombudsman will provide practical
information, advice and assistance on workplace issues and ensure compliance
with workplace laws. While the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman will have
separate governance arrangements, its day-to-day operations will be practically
integrated with Fair Work Australia.

Both Fair Work Australia and the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman will
commence operation on 1 July 2009.

Progress to date and next steps.

The new laws are the product of extensive consultation with employer and
employee representatives, and state and territory governments.
The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, the Hon Julia Gillard
MP introduced the first of two transitional and consequential Bills, the Fair
Work (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Bill 2009,
into Parliament on 19 March 2009. This Bill was subject to a Senate
Committee Inquiry that handed down its report on 7 May 2009.

The second of the two transitional and consequential Bills, the Fair Work
(State Referral and Consequential and Other Amendments) Bill 2009 was
introduced into Parliament on 27 May 2009.

Together, the two transitional and consequential Bills will operate with the
Fair Work Act to set out the arrangements for a smooth transition to the
new workplace relations system.

The Fair Work Act was passed by the Parliament on 20 March 2009 and
received royal assent on 7 April 2009.

Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council

The Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council is a council of federal, state and
territory Ministers responsible for workplace relations, occupational health
and safety and workers’ compensation issues.

Workplace Relations Ministers' Council This page provides information on
membership of the Council and links to its most recent communiques.

WCV's: Yeah right, sure it will!
That's why we are still being screwed as we speak!!!
If this government is serious about any reforms then they should include
all the 5000 injured workers excluded from the bracks changes!