The Premier Colin Barnett has conceded the State Government will not act on any of the recommendations from a review of the state's industrial relations system.
In 2009, the Barnett Government paid $850,000 to lawyer Stephen Amendola to review WA's industrial relations system.
The state laws govern the public sector and some small businesses.
Mr Amendola was an adviser on Howard Government's Workchoices legislation which favoured individual workplace agreements instead of collective bargaining.
He handed in his report with nearly 200 recommendations.
At the time, the unions voiced their opposition to recommendations which they said removed protections for unfair dismissal and restricted right of entry for unions in work places.
When it was made public, the then Commerce Minister Bill Marmion said the Government would take the report's advice and make state and federal industrial relations laws more complementary.
Mr Barnett now says he will not adopt any of Mr Amendola's recommendations.
"Look, we're basically not doing it, we're just not going down that path," he said.
Mr Barnett was asked whether the Government was rejecting the recommendations due to pressure from the unions.
The Premier denied that but gave no reason why the report is being dumped.
"We've made a decision, we're just not proceeding," he said.
Reaction
The Opposition Leader Eric Ripper says the Government has done a backflip on industrial relations because Mr Barnett is frightened of the public's reaction.
"It's extraordinary that they'd spend $850,000 for no purpose," he said.
"I think the purpose is get re-elected, then do it."
Mr Ripper says all WA businesses should be covered by federal laws.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry has also been critical, calling it a wasted opportunity for reform.
In a statement, it said it was disappointed the State Government had broken its promise to legislate this year.
The CCI says the state awards are more than 30 years old, they are long and complicated and do not meet the needs of small businesses.
The chamber also said it was frustrating that so much time and taxpayers' money had been spent on a fruitless exercise.
WCV's: I cant believe the federal government has allowed 850k to be spent on a report!
All the times I have contacted them on including the injured workers forgotten in the bracks changes
I have consistently been told we have no money to include them yet here we are seeing 850k being spent on a piece of paper...WTF!!!!!!!!
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