From The Australian today:
In a submission to the [Fair Work] commission’s major review of modern awards, the government says the tribunal should carefully consider the “softening economic environment and labour market”, and, in particular, the impact of employment costs on companies deciding to hire workers over the next four years.
…”The government submits that four-yearly reviews are to be a comprehensive examination of the minimum terms and conditions of employment in modern awards, and their relevance to modern workplaces,” the submission says.
“The four-yearly reviews are also an opportunity to realign or disamalgamate awards where necessary. The government acknowledges the potential for significant changes to modern awards to occur as a result of this review.”
The government says the commission is responsible for determining whether additional remuneration including penalty rates and the hours and days in which it was provided in modern awards are “appropriate in a particular industry”.
Restricting the number of “allowable matters” under the award system was one of the three key planks in the Work Choices legislation. The others two were restricting union powers of access and protest and eliminating unfair dismissal laws.
