The prospect of industry-wide strikes and small businesses being dragged into multi-employer bargaining against their will are chief among the concerns of the independents who are demanding the government delay the passage of its industrial relations legislation and subject it to greater scrutiny.
The government’s Secure Work, Better Pay Bill, an omnibus of industrial relations changes, was introduced last week and will be subject to a brief parliamentary inquiry which must report by November 17, so the legislation can be passed by December 1. “Right now, it seems to be seeing all the union side of it and not about small business and big business. I’m really concerned about our small business and coming out of COVID ... they’re just starting to get back on their feet.“If you don’t think there’s going to be more strikes, then blow me over. I can tell you what, I’ll put 100 per cent on it. It will cause more strikes, it’ll be more difficult for the country, we’ve got to find a medium here.
“People have been waiting 10 years while their wages were deliberately held back, I really don’t want that situation to remain unfixed.” There is no limit on the size of the business affected or on whether the employee is part-time or full-time.
Good…it’s terrible legislation!