Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations and Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation, Bill Shorten, welcomed the passage of the Fair Work Amendment Bill 2012 through the House of Representatives tonight.
The Bill implements a number of recommendations of the independent Fair Work Act Review Panel (Review Panel), and other changes arising from the Minister's consultation with stakeholders on the Review Panel's report. These stakeholders include members of the National Workplace Relations Consultative Council, small business representatives, the Fair Work Ombudsman and Fair Work Australia.
The Bill also implements the Government's response to the Productivity Commission's inquiry into default superannuation in modern awards, which was initiated by the Government in January 2012.
The Bill includes:
- improvements to the unfair dismissal provisions to improve the integrity of the application and hearing process;
- changes to the structure and operation of Fair Work Australia as recommended by the Review Panel;
- a more transparent and competitive process for the selection of default funds in modern awards; and
- several technical and clarifying recommendations made by the Review Panel.
Mr Shorten thanked all stakeholders who engaged with the Review Panel and who have provided feedback on the recommendations. He also acknowledged the work of the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and the Treasury.
The Minister remains committed to working with employers, employees and their representatives on implementing the remaining Review Panel recommendations.