Opposition releases workplace relations policy

The opposition has finally release its industrial relations policy, pledging once and for all it will not repeal the Fair Work Act.

BY Stephanie Zillman 09 May 2013

The opposition has finally release its industrial relations policy, pledging once and for all it will not repeal the Fair Work Act.

Should the Opposition come to power following September’s election, leader Tony Abbott has said the Coalition will ‘improve’ the current legislation.

According to the Coalition’s Policy to Improve the Fair Work Laws, released today, there will not be any further changes to unfair dismissal laws or measures to set penalty rates in the first term of a Coalition government.

Key points of the Coalition's policy

The current Fair Work system would remain in place
There would be changes to the Paid Parental Leave Scheme – namely, mothers six months leave based on their actual wage
Increased penalties for unions and officials to equal company penalties
The Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) would be restored to act as watchdog commercial building sites and construction projects
Unions' access to workplaces would be restricted.
Removal of the ability to restrict the use of Labor’s Individual Flexibility Arrangements in enterprise agreements.
Tightened negotiation timeframes for Greenfield agreements
Strikes would only be admissible following talks between parties.
Individual flexibility arrangements would be available to all workers.
Unfair dismissal laws would not change
Recommendations from the Fair Work Review would still be considered