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ARTICLE · 15 MAY 2013

Coalition releases "Policy to Improve the Fair Work Laws"

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The article examines key aspects of the Policy, and explores implementation timing if the Coalition wins the election.

AustraliaEmployment and HR
Anthony Forsyth
Anthony Forsyth
John Tuck
John Tuck
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On 9 May 2013, the Coalition released its industrial relations policy for the federal election to be held on 14 September.

"The Coalition's Policy to Improve the Fair Work Laws" (Coalition Policy) essentially proposes to retain the current system of workplace regulation under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act) – with a number of "incremental and evolutionary changes" to be legislated within three months of a Coalition Government taking office.

The Coalition has committed to making no further changes to the FW Act until a review of the legislation is conducted by the Productivity Commission. The Coalition would then seek a mandate at the following federal election before implementing the review's recommendations. The approach is likely to diminish industrial relations being a prominent election issue in September 2013.

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