Will the upcoming Federal election affect workplace relations?

With an election due in the next 12 months and the Coalition Government performing poorly in polls leaving a potential change of government well within the bounds of possibility, there has been a quickening of interest surrounding workplace relations policy issues. A number of these issues may become significant differentiators between the Government and Opposition parties.

Some of the most notable policy differences include:

• Adding an enforcement mechanism to the 'flexible work' provisions of the Fair Work Act, and narrowing an employer's right to refuse on the basis of 'serious business grounds'. [This bill was introduced by the Greens and supported by the ACTU. To some extent, this is in parallel with the 'family-friendly working conditions' stream of the 4 Yearly Review of Modern Awards.]