Information about the Inquiry

Inquiry into the Workplace Relations Amendment (Transition to Forward with Fairness) Bill 2008

Information about the Inquiry

The Senate has referred the Workplace Relations Amendment (Transition to Forward with Fairness) Bill 2008 to its Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Committee for report by 17 March 2008.

The bill implements changes to the workplace agreement framework in accordance with the government's election commitment. Among other things, the bill initiates the creation of interim employment agreement instruments and provides for the Australian Industrial Relations commission to commence award modernisation processes.

Submissions close on 29 February 2008.

Motion to refer the bill to the committee with particular terms of reference

On 14 February Senator Ellison (LIB,WA) moved:

That, upon its introduction into the House of Representatives, the provisions of the Workplace Relations Amendment  (Transition to Forward with Fairness) Bill 2008 be referred to the Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Committee for inquiry and report by 28 April 2008, with particular reference to:

  1. economic and social impacts from the abolition of individual statutory agreements;
  2. impact on employment;
  3. potential for a wages breakout and increased inflationary pressures;
  4. potential for increased industrial disputation;
  5. impact on sectors heavily reliant on individual statutory agreements; and
  6. impact on productivity.

For further information, contact:

Mr John Carter, Secretary
Senate Standing Committees on Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia

Phone: +61 2 6277 3520
Fax: +61 2 6277 5706
Email: eet.sen@aph.gov.au