State introduces new bill to improve working conditions for employees

"This will bring Western Australia into line with the national system," the state government said in a media release.

The legislation also seeks to enshrine the prohibition on sexual harassment in WA's employment laws, as well as amend the right of entry provisions for WA work sites.

"All Western Australians have the right to a workplace that is free of sexual harassment and this Bill will help enshrine that right in State employment laws," said Industrial Relations Minister Simone McGurk in a statement.

Meanwhile, other key provisions in the bill include:

• Establishing a new employee right to request a flexible working arrangement
• Amending the Industrial Relations Act 1979 to safeguard against workers being artificially labelled as independent contractors or casual employees
• Increasing penalties for contravening state employment laws
• Streamlining the outdated structure of the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission by abolishing the constituent authorities—namely the Public Service Arbitrator and the Public Service Appeal Board—and transferring their jurisdiction to the commission

"This legislation improves minimum conditions of employment and protections for workers, while also modernising key elements of the state industrial relations system," McGurk said.