TERMS OF REFERENCE
On 23 May 1996 the Senate resolved that (contingent on the first reading
of the Workplace Relations and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 1996
in the Senate - which occured on 27 June 1996) -
(1) The Workplace Relations and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 1996
stand referred to the Economics References Committee for inquiry and
report by 22 August 1996, with particular reference to the following
matters:
(a) whether the various State industrial jurisdictions can or will
provide adequate protection for workers employed under state agreements;
(b) the implications for the Australian economy;
(c) whether the provisions of the bill will fulfil Australia's international
obligations and whether the provisions of the bill will affect Australia's
international relations;
(d) the effects of similar provisions in other countries;
(e) the extent to which the proposed legislation impacts on the national
skills accreditation, traineeships, apprenticeship system and vocational
education systems, and whether State legislation will be complementary
to the Federal Act;
(f) whether any proposed powers exercised by the Australian Industrial
Relations Commission would be better exercised by another federal
government body, and whether further consequential amendments will
be needed to other acts to achieve this;
(g) whether any proposed powers exercised by another Federal Government
body would be better exercised by the Australian Industrial Relations
Commission, and whether further consequential amendments will be needed
to other acts to achieve this;
(h) the impact on small business of the proposed legislation and
the extent to which the proposed institutional arrangements provide
adequate support for small business in dealing with industrial matters;
(i) the extent to which proposed Budget cuts will reduce the capacity
of the AIRC to perform its role;
(j) whether the bill as a whole or in part is constitutional;
(k) the extent to which state legislation on unfair dismissals complements
or will complement the proposed federal act;
(l) whether the provisions of the bill provide a fair balance between
the rights of employers and organisations of employers, and the rights
of workers and unions;
(m) whether reporting mechanisms on the progress of enterprise bargaining
are adequate and might need to be improved in light of the bill;
(n) the impact of the proposed legislation on the balance between
work and family responsibilities;
(o) the impact of the proposed bill on youth employment and training.
(2) That the committee advertise for submissions in the media and conduct
public hearings in each State and Territory capital city.
Referred: 23 May 1996