Kylea shares her week
Week 19: Getting IR Reforms Right
This week, I've been looking at the Government's 'Secure Jobs, Better Pay' Bill, a package of Industrial Relations (IR) changes that was introduced in Parliament in Budget week.
The Bill seeks to improve job security, gender pay equity, and wages. It significantly expands enterprise bargaining and is effectively the largest piece of legislative IR reform since Work Choices in 2006.
And like Work Choices, this Bill is being rushed.
I’m concerned the Government is pushing through this Bill without allowing for open, transparent debate. The Government has given the general public just two weeks to submit their feedback on the 250-page Bill with current timeframes, indicating the new legislation could be pushed through the House of Representatives as early as next week.
The Government must heed stakeholder concerns and slow down this significant reform.
While I support many aspects of the Bill and share the Government’s desire to improve wages and conditions for workers, there are substantial aspects of the proposal which I am concerned about.
This includes its potential impact on small businesses as any business who employs more than 15 people (either on a casual, part-time or full-time basis) will find themselves subject to this legislation.
I am also looking at how the residential construction industry can take confidence in what is being proposed following the abolition of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (the ABCC). The construction industry has long been a political football leaving many small businesses and home builders caught in the middle.
And ultimately the proposal for multi-employer or sector wide bargaining warrants much deeper scrutiny and consideration.
Despite claims, I do not believe the Labor Party has a mandate for this level of significant change and many businesses are feeling blind-sided. To tackle the wicked problem of wage growth and economic management, we need large and small businesses, workers, unions and government to come to the table in good faith.
At the election people voted for candidates who wanted politics done differently and the recent Jobs and Skills Summit demonstrated it is possible. I’ll be working to bring North Sydney’s voice to the debate and to secure a positive outcome for our economy.
Whilst the timelines are tight, if you are a business owner, employer, worker in the care sector (including childcare and aged care) in North Sydney I'd particularly like to hear from you as soon as possible so please let me know what you think at [email protected].
Debate on this legislation is likely to reinitiate early next week so I really do need to know where you stand as soon as possible.
Finally, and completely separately, you may have seen a big SMH story today about possible changes to the Western Harbour Tunnel project. From my perspective, I will continue working with our independent scientific panel, led by former NSW Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Chairman and CEO, Barry Buffier AM, to get to the bottom of this and make sure North Sydney's voice is heard.
Other relevant posts
week 23: Cutting vehicle emissions with our new Private Members Bill
Earlier this year, in the months before the election, I promised to develop and introduce a Private Member's Bill that would deliver better, cleaner fuel to Australians and reduce pollution from our cars. That Bill was tabled in Parliament this week.
North Sydney's Reducing Vehicle Pollution Bill will bring Australian fuel quality in line with European standards, reducing the levels of sulphur and aromatics that they can contain.
Week 22: The National Anti-Corruption Commission Bill Passes the House
With just one sitting week remaining for Parliament in 2022, the past week in Canberra has definitely been full of robust debate, constructive discussion and ultimately some landmark legislative developments.
Week 21: What we're doing to strengthen the Anti-Corruption Bill
Our democracy will only ever be as strong as our willingness as citizens to actively contribute to any debate, and just on six months into this role, the capacity for me to truly listen to the many voices of North Sydney as they discuss proposed or needed legislative reform at the national level is without a doubt the most rewarding thing I get to do on a daily basis.
week 20: Speaking out for our community on climate change
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Week 19: Getting IR Reforms Right
This week, I've been looking at the Government's 'Secure Jobs, Better Pay' Bill, a package of Industrial Relations (IR) changes that was introduced in Parliament in Budget week.
Week 18: What the Budget Means for North Sydney
This week, my team and I have been hard at work determining what the newly released Federal Budget means for North Sydney's priorities, and what needs to be done to ensure government initiatives actually deliver the changes that our community wants to see.
Every Friday
Kylea's newsletter hits the inboxes of people right across our electorate of North Sydney. Stay up to date with Kylea's plans and progress as she tells us about her week speaking with people in our community. We'll also highlight the latest community events and initiatives to get involved with.