Two more bills which are part of the Government's workplace reform package go before the Senate for the second time tomorrow.
They are:
- The Workplace Relations Amendment (Prohibition of Compulsory Union Fees) Bill 2002, which addresses attempts by unions to impose compulsory fees on non-union members.
- The Workplace Relations Amendment (Secret Ballots for Protected Action) Bill 2002, which requires that a secret ballot to approve the taking of industrial action must be conducted and endorsed by employees before protected industrial action may be taken.
The Manager of Government Business in the Senate, Senator Ian Campbell, said today the bills were key parts of the reform program which aimed to create job opportunities and free the workplace of blockages to business growth and employee rewards.
"The onus remains on Labor and the other parties to cooperate with the Government on these important measures or put forward alternatives," he said.
"Their standard approach so far has been to block and reject at every turn, but offer nothing.
"Unemployment is now just on 6 per cent. The Government's goal is to cut that further and these measures are part of the strategy to achieve that goal."
Senator Campbell said the Broadcasting Services Amendment (Media Ownership) Bill 2002 was listed for debate on Wednesday.
The list of Senate business is available online at www.pmc.gov.au
CANBERRA
17 March 2003
Contact: Wayne Grant 02 6277 3955 or 0407 845280