Industrial Relations Bill 2016

Shadow minister led LNP opposition to the bill, arguing it was a union payback that would cost local government jobs, increase rates, cost small business through the new Easter Sunday public holiday, strip accountability and transparency requirements from unions and undermine the independence of the QIRC.

“This bill panders to the union bosses—repaying favours for support at the last election, stripping away important transparency and accountability measures, increasing the cost on business which puts pressure on jobs, and significantly undermining the QIRC, the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission.”— 2016-11-30View Hansard

As Minister, introduced the bill resumed second reading debate, describing it as restoring fairness to Queensland's industrial relations system, introducing 10 days' paid domestic and family violence leave, making Easter Sunday a public holiday and removing the Newman government's restrictions on bargaining and unions.

“The Palaszczuk Labor government made a commitment to Queenslanders that we would restore fairness to the state's industrial relations jurisdiction. Queenslanders want fairness and balance in their industrial relations laws and that is what this bill delivers.”— 2016-11-29View Hansard

Opposed the bill as a union-dominated payback following the 2015 election, arguing the consultation process was biased, the Easter Sunday public holiday would cost business and local government approximately $100 million over several years, and that the Anti-Discrimination Commission should not lose matters to the QIRC.

“What we have as a result in this House today with this Industrial Relations Bill is no more than a front by the union controlled Palaszczuk Labor government to support an increased union presence in the workplace in an attempt to reverse ever-decreasing union membership figures.”— 2016-11-30View Hansard

Opposed the bill on behalf of outback Queensland, arguing the Easter Sunday public holiday would cost small tourism businesses $53 million and the rural councils in his electorate would face a $100 million impost leading to rate rises and job losses.

“When local government is telling you that this bill will make a bad employment situation worse, how can a responsible government proceed with such flawed legislation?”— 2016-11-30View Hansard

Supported the bill as a restoration of fairness to Queensland's industrial relations system following the comprehensive independent review, highlighting protections against workplace bullying, general protections mirroring the Fair Work Act, and flexible work arrangements.

“This bill will right the wrongs of the former LNP government. I congratulate the minister for all her hard work on this bill. I commend the bill to the House.”— 2016-11-30View Hansard

Opposed the bill as a member of the Finance and Administration Committee, citing a lack of consultation, concerns about domestic and family violence leave being buried in the bill rather than standalone legislation, and the change from one local government award to three awards.

“There are many other clauses in this bill that we disagree with. As I stated, we will be opposing the bill. I say again that I think it is disgraceful that the domestic violence provisions were put in this bill. That was done for purely political gain and I think it is despicable.”— 2016-11-30View Hansard

As shadow minister for local government, opposed the bill because the LGAQ representing 77 councils had called it a betrayal and a mockery that would lead to job losses, stifle job creation, impede productivity and increase costs to ratepayers.

“If the minister does not want to take the word of the mayors, the councillors and the LGAQ on a bill that explicitly changes the industrial relations system for local government, then I find that completely and utterly appalling.”— 2016-11-30View Hansard

Opposed the bill on economic and legal grounds, arguing it emboldens trade unions (particularly the CFMEU) to the economic detriment of Queensland and that the adverse action provisions mirroring the Fair Work Act reverse the onus of proof and will open the floodgates to claims against public sector employers.

“What we are going to see now is the floodgates opening and trade union officials taking every last bit out of the system that they can.”— 2016-11-30View Hansard

Supported the bill as delivering on the government's election commitment to restore fairness to industrial relations, wiping away the former LNP government's unfair laws and providing a modern framework based on 68 review recommendations.

“This bill will wipe away the last vestiges of the former Campbell Newman LNP government's unfair, harsh and unbalanced industrial relations laws.”— 2016-11-30View Hansard

Opposed the bill as a union payback, arguing the Easter Sunday public holiday would cost small business at least $53 million, councils in his electorate would bear significant cost impacts and the CFMEU's conduct warranted increased accountability not reduced disclosure.

“I rise to oppose the Industrial Relations Bill 2016 and I oppose it for what it is—as simply another example of Labor's long-held practice of union paybacks.”— 2016-11-30View Hansard

Opposed the bill on grounds of union thuggery in workplaces, the cost of an Easter Sunday public holiday to small cafes and corner stores in his electorate and the lack of consultation with the LGAQ which employs 40,000 people.

“This is self-interest and this is caring about their union mates ... when it comes at the expense of people in Western Queensland, small business operators and the little guy out there, I totally disagree with it.”— 2016-11-30View Hansard

Opposed the bill as an attempt to entrench a monopoly on industrial representation, arguing employees should be able to choose between competing representative organisations like the Emergency Medical Services Protection Association and Nurses Professional Association of Queensland rather than being tied to politicised unions.

“The fact is that this bill will destroy jobs, provide employees less say, politicise registered industrial organisations that purport to represent them and provide no opportunity for choice of representative organisation for the worker.”— 2016-11-30View Hansard

Proudly supported the bill as a union member, highlighting the restoration of fairness to the industrial relations system, support for public servants after 14,000 were sacked by the LNP, and particularly the domestic and family violence leave for public servants and new temporary employee conversion amendments.

“This is a government that values public servants. We value our workforce. We want to do everything we can to create a fair and balanced environment, and that is why I commend this bill to the House.”— 2016-11-30View Hansard

Opposed the bill as fundamentally flawed union-biased legislation, citing the Shop Distributive and Allied Employees' Association's donation preceding the Easter Sunday declaration, the lack of consultation with business, and the removal of accountability measures.

“I condemn this legislation. It undermines independence, reduces productivity, transparency and accountability and will empower union dominance and influence in an unbalanced way in Queensland, leading to reduced economic activity.”— 2016-11-30View Hansard

Opposed the bill while criticising the government for burying domestic and family violence leave reforms within the broader pro-union Industrial Relations Bill rather than introducing them alongside other domestic violence reforms through the appropriate minister.

“It is mind-boggling that this government would bury this domestic and family violence reform in legislation that is designed to appease its union mates rather than it being introduced alongside other domestic violence reforms.”— 2016-11-30View Hansard

Opposed the bill as flawed and damaging in outcomes, arguing the review panel was union-stacked, the Easter Sunday holiday was a secret deal with the shoppies union, and the local government award changes would cost $100 million leading to rate rises or job losses.

“In short, this bill is union-bullying, job-destroying legislation and should be opposed.”— 2016-11-30View Hansard

Supported the bill as restoring fairness to Queensland workers following the attacks of the former Newman government, emphasising protections against discrimination, bullying and unfair treatment, and equal remuneration provisions for work of equal or comparable value.

“This bill is good for industrial relations. It is good for workers and for workplaces. I commend the bill to the House.”— 2016-11-30View Hansard

Opposed the bill on behalf of small businesses in tourism hubs on the Sunshine Coast, arguing the Easter Sunday public holiday would force small businesses to close without consultation and the stripping of accountability measures from unions showed the bill was union payback.

“I oppose this union-bullying job-destroying piece of legislation. This bill is further proof that the Labor government is more interested in keeping its union mates happy than in supporting small business and growing the Queensland economy.”— 2016-11-30View Hansard

Drawing on her own experience running a butcher shop and cafe, opposed the bill as destructive to small business through the Easter Sunday public holiday and the adverse action provisions which would paralyse managers making ordinary management decisions.

“This legislation is a destroyer of business. This legislation is strangling confidence in the business community. I absolutely oppose this legislation.”— 2016-11-30View Hansard

Supported the bill as restoring fairness to industrial relations and protecting workers' right to take protected industrial action alongside conciliation, defending the role of unions in improving workplace safety and wages.

“Only Labor in government understands that Queenslanders want fairness and balance in their industrial laws.”— 2016-11-30View Hansard

Supported the bill particularly for extending a uniform workplace bullying jurisdiction to local government employees, citing toxic workplaces, suicides and sexual harassment cases at several Queensland councils including Cairns and Tablelands Regional Council.

“I have high expectations for what this bill promises for local government employees. It is finally giving them a uniform bullying jurisdiction.”— 2016-11-30View Hansard

Opposed the bill for its impact on Gold Coast small businesses during the Easter peak tourism period, the removal of the state's ability to intervene to stop industrial action (particularly at Commonwealth Games construction sites), and criticised Labor for using wedge politics by including domestic violence leave.

“Whether it is in the construction industry, small business or local government authorities, what we see very, very clearly tonight is that this government, like all Labor governments, is controlled and dictated to by unions.”— 2016-11-30View Hansard

Opposed the bill citing concerns from Currumbin small businesses and tourism operators about the Easter Sunday public holiday, the removal of state intervention powers over industrial action at Commonwealth Games sites and the removal of union accountability measures.

“Labor do not care about jobs and they certainly do not like small businesses. Democracy—that is, equality and fairness—flies out the window when it comes to bullish unions and I oppose it.”— 2016-11-30View Hansard

As Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, supported the bill as making Queensland the first jurisdiction to legislate for domestic and family violence leave, implementing a recommendation of the Not now, not ever report.

“I am so proud to lend my support to the Industrial Relations Bill which, if passed, will make Queensland the first jurisdiction to legislate for domestic and family violence leave.”— 2016-11-30View Hansard

As Leader of the Opposition, opposed the bill as a union payback with no benefits for taxpayers, ratepayers or consumers, criticising the removal of accountability measures at a time when the federal parliament was strengthening union transparency.

“This is truly a government of the unions, by the unions, for the unions ... It should be opposed.”— 2016-11-30View Hansard

Opposed the bill for its impact on small businesses in Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays tourism economy, the 43 per cent hospitality wage rise and 25 per cent retail wage rise on Easter Sunday, and the additional burden on smaller regional councils.

“This piece of legislation is ill-conceived, fundamentally flawed and a kick in the guts for small business right across the length and breadth of Queensland, including in my electorate of Whitsunday and particularly the tourist town of Airlie Beach.”— 2016-11-30View Hansard

Opposed the bill as removing transparency and accountability measures to benefit union officials at the expense of their own members and the mums and dads of Queensland, arguing the measures were a deliberate transfer of power from the people to union bosses.

“I very much caution the people of Queensland to see what happens next. If this legislation is passed, they will be the net losers.”— 2016-11-30View Hansard

In reply, the Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations defended the bill against opposition claims, citing the comprehensive independent review, rejecting claims that accountability measures had been removed, defending the Easter Sunday public holiday and the partitioning of local government awards, and commending the bill as striking the right balance between economic and social considerations.

“The bill will provide a new framework for cooperative industrial relations that is fair and balanced, and supports the delivery of high-quality services, economic prosperity and social justice for Queenslanders.”— 2016-11-30View Hansard