THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT recently signalled the introduction of tough new emergency industrial powers, which would allow it to issue interim orders requiring work to continue during an industrial dispute as the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) proceeded with the process of conciliation and arbitration
THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT recently signalled the introduction of tough new emergency industrial powers, which would allow it to issue interim orders requiring work to continue during an industrial dispute as the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) proceeded with the process of conciliation and arbitration.
State Industrial Relations Minister Rob Hulls said a new Emergency Powers Act would consolidate Victoria’s emergency powers allowing the interim resolution of a dispute pending formal resolution by the AIRC, and give the State Government power, through a statutory officer, to stipulate wages and conditions during the period.
The interim order would only apply during the period of an emergency where an essential service or industry or vital state project is threatened or affected by industrial action.
Minister Hulls said he would also lobby the Federal Government for the power to bring applications to the AIRC pursuant to the Federal Workplace Relations Act 1996 sec 170MW to terminate bargaining periods under similar circumstances of causing significant damage to the State’s economy.
“The number of working days lost to industrial disputes has fallen by 30 per cent under the Bracks Government, but work needs to be done to improve the Howard Government’s flawed industrial relations regime which promotes strikes and lock outs,” he said.
“Currently, only the Commonwealth has this power. The Bracks Government believes that Victoria, as the only State entirely under the Federal IR system, should have the ability to take action in the AIRC to protect the community from the most damaging industrial disputes.”
However, Federal Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Kevin Andrews said the initiatives will do nothing to address the key issues facing employers and employees in the Victorian workplace, and would only exacerbate current problems by pandering to militant unions.
“This proposal is an ill thought out, ill defined idea which could defeat the purpose of an effective, unitary federal system whereby disputes are settled by parties directly involved,” he said.
“Thuggery, intimidation, lawlessness and unacceptable levels of industrial action will continue regardless of how it is dressed unless the Bracks Government is prepared to stand up to militant unions.”
