ARTICLE · 12 APRIL 2005

Workplace Relations Reform: Tentative Steps now Likely to Hasten in 2005

Freehills

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In the immediate post-election period, there was considerable media speculation, fuelled by the comments made by the Prime Minister and senior industry representatives, of the prospect of further workplace relations reform. In the ensuing weeks, the rhetoric has continued.

AustraliaEmployment and HR

Anthony Wood

In the immediate post-election period, there was considerable media speculation, fuelled by the comments made by the Prime Minister and senior industry representatives, of the prospect of further workplace relations reform. In the ensuing weeks, the rhetoric has continued. In his speech at the opening of parliament on 16 November 2004, the Governor-General said that '... the government will accelerate the reform of workplace relations as a means of raising productivity and Australian living standards'.

In particular, the government has continued to press the case for the immediate passage of its unfair dismissal reforms in the parliamentary session which commenced on 16 November 2004. The government has also stressed the importance of its legislation to clarify the impact of the High Court's Electrolux decision, as well as the substantially modified right of entry laws.

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