Leo

Lots of publicity on this one at the moment. I wanted to get this thread started to know what people think of the workplace relations reform proposals.

IR's a big part of my current job and my previous job was exclusively IR for a large national organisation. I wouldn't claim the title of expert, but I do have a good understanding of the issues - certainly enough to sort the wheat from the chaff in the info that's about. There's no shortage of chaff.

I have a paper to write over the next few days (IR paper actually) so won't have time to debate details yet. Hopefully I will get round to that during the coming week.

But what I'm broadly thinking is as follows.

I support the general concept of a unitary IR system. Six (potentially seven) IR systems in one nation is ridiculous. It's been ridiculous since federation. Like different gauge railway lines in different states. These proposals won't achieve a unitary system, but have the potential to go a long way towards it. The concept's a step in the right direction.

Supporting the concept is different to supporting the content. Some of the proposals are good. Some are bad. Good one includes statutory protection of certain working conditions for the first time ever. Bad one is changing recourse to unfair dismissal claims for workers in businesses from under 15 employees to under 100. Bad. Every worker should have recourse to unfair dismissal claim against an unscrupulous employer.

If you don't support particular aspects of the reforms, write to Kevin Andrews and your local member and tell them. I have. But get informed first. One thing's for sure - if you're getting your info from the unions and the media (either leftish or rightish) you'll be misinformed.

Go to primary sources and make your mind up about the issues from there (there aren't alot about yet because the detail's not finished and the proposed legislation won't be completed for a couple of months).

Don't reject the proposals out of hand just because the Libs are introducing them. I personally think that is lazy thinking. Instead, read primary sources, get informed, make up your own mind about the proposals, then reject or accept them and take positive action that you think's appropriate (eg write to the minister, get a petition going, etc).

It's a terrific country. They won't throw us in gaol or pull our fingernails out for questioning them. At least I hope not, otherwise I'm in trouble. I imagine it will be painful typing without fingernails. The sky won't fall in because of the reforms. It will continue to be a great country after the reforms. Enjoy the good ones. Do what you can to positively influence change over the bad ones. Happy to have my views challenged if you disagree with me and will certainly change my thinking if the arguments are good.