ARTICLE · 02 DECEMBER 2008

Labor´s Promised IR Legislation Introduced Today: Fair Work Bill

Clayton Utz

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The Federal Government's long-expected Fair Work Bill 2008 (Cth) has now been introduced into Federal Parliament, with certain elements expected to take effect from 1 July 2009.

AustraliaEmployment and HR

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The Federal Government's long-expected Fair Work Bill 2008 (Cth) has now been introduced into Federal Parliament, with certain elements expected to take effect from 1 July 2009.

Employee entitlements

National Employment Standards - As previously announced, ten minimum employee entitlements will apply to most Australian workplaces from 1 January 2010. These will replace the existing Australian Fair Pay and Conditions Standard, under which there are five minimum employee entitlements.

Modern Awards - The Bill provides that Modern Awards, which the Australian Industrial Relations Commission is in the process of developing pursuant to the transitional Workplace Relations Amendment (Transition to Forward with Fairness) Act 2008 (Cth), will be reviewed every four years. Outside of these reviews, awards will be able to be varied in limited circumstances. Those bound by Modern Awards will have the benefit of a clause enabling them to agree on flexible arrangements.

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