Industrial Legislation in 2003

Abstract

D espite the promise of cataclysmic change, 2003 saw very few, and very moderate reforms to industrial laws. The great debates-about a unitary industrial relations system, greater legal discipline for the building and construction industry, paid maternity leave, compulsory individual contracts in the higher education sector-left no lasting footprints in 2003. The most significant reform, achieved at the very end of the year, was the enactment of more safety net protection for Victorian workers. Otherwise, legislative change represented small incremental steps. This review notes the highlights from the year's debates, and explains the changes that were actually introduced.

Industrial Legislation in 2004

“…(It is difficult to imagine that small business employees would have the resources to pursue common law contract claims either. Whether any State remedies remain will depend on the fate of other proposals for federal law to cover the field, yet to be re-tabled: see discussion of the Fair Termination Bill in Riley 2004. ) Some of the folly in creating artificial distinctions between classes of employees is evidenced in the confusing provision for 'trainees'.…”

“…Tumultuous times may well be ahead this year, depending on whether the government truly has the stomach for the kinds of draconian 'reforms' it proposed when there was little risk of enactment. (For a brief digest of those reforms, see Riley 2004. ) Three Workplace Relations Bills were before the new Parliament when it rose before the end of December 2004.…”