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`Shameful` time for workplace relations ends

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How is this a dismantling of WorkChoices? Seems like everyone loses with the outcome. Including those who voted for the dismantling of WorkChoices.

Posted by: Adrian of Brisbane 4:27pm today

to davo of brisbane (Out of 94 comments on this page, so far 2 people have been affected by workchoices (apparently). I bet those 2 people couldn't tell me exactly how could they??? Seems they weren't so bad after all. I was certainly better off.) in response to your question as to why some of us have not explained to you how we were affected by the IR laws can be personal.....some of would have suffered within the family home due to the effects of the previous IR laws where IR courts were able to help us because some of us were employed by companies with fewer than 100 people!! I dont think anyone has to explain their circumstances to you whatsoever!!! except give an opinion on whether they agree or disagree with the new changes!

Posted by: chris 4:24pm today

I just want to know whatDudd's new Forward with Fairnesslaws are made up of, anyone know???

Posted by: Lynne of Sydney 4:23pm today
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PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd declared Australian Workplace Agreements "dead and buried" as Parliament today passed legislation dismantling the Work Choices laws.

Mr Rudd has told MPs that today was a landmark day for struggling families across the country and the first step to restoring fairness in the workplace.

But Coalition MPs have said the move could hurt the economy and warned against ignoring the legacy of the Howard years.

The Workplace Relations Amendment (Transition to Forward with Fairness) Bill was rubber-stamped by the lower house this morning after passing the Senate last night.  The Bill needs the assent of the Governor-General to become law.

The Government was forced to tinker with the Bill - introduced in the first week of Parliament last month - after an inquiry by a Senate committee.

Among the 37 mostly technical amendments was a change allowing employers to extend the use of transitional individual work contracts.

The Government agreed to the concession to ensure passage of the legislation before Easter.

Mr Rudd said the Bill`s passage marked a major day for working families across Australia and honoured a commitment Labor gave to the people before last year`s federal election.

"Today we declare this shameful chapter in the history of Australia`s workplace relations to be dead and buried," Mr Rudd told parliament with the rousing support of Labor MPs in the chamber.

"Today with this legislation we begin the process of buying the rest of that Work Choices omnibus once and for all.

"And with this legislation, we take the first step towards the creation of a modern, fair and flexible workplace relations system."

The Work Choices laws were blamed, at least in part, for turning voters away from the Coalition government in its last year in office.

But Former Coalition minister Tony Abbott said people should not forget the legacy of the Howard years.

"Let`s not forget that under the former government`s industrial laws we had the fastest jobs growth in Australia`s history," he said outside Parliament House.

"The Howard government`s industrial legislation was good for wages, it was good for jobs and it was good for workers and let`s never forget that."

Fellow Liberal MP Ian Macfarlane said he was concerned about the effects of the changes on the economy.

"That`s to be seen of course if a labour market system under the ALP causes inflation and that won`t be good for the country that`s something they`ll have to manage," he said.

Nationals MP Bruce Scott said time would be the judge.  "I think we`ll wait and see what happens in six months time," he said.  

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Today`s Top Picks

The battle of the Hastings

Cheeky coastal residents strip off and post the daring footage onto video sharing website YouTube to fight development on their beach.



Font size: +-

Send this article:PrintEmail

Have Your Say

Latest Comments:

How is this a dismantling of WorkChoices? Seems like everyone loses with the outcome. Including those who voted for the dismantling of WorkChoices.

Posted by: Adrian of Brisbane 4:27pm today

to davo of brisbane (Out of 94 comments on this page, so far 2 people have been affected by workchoices (apparently). I bet those 2 people couldn't tell me exactly how could they??? Seems they weren't so bad after all. I was certainly better off.) in response to your question as to why some of us have not explained to you how we were affected by the IR laws can be personal.....some of would have suffered within the family home due to the effects of the previous IR laws where IR courts were able to help us because some of us were employed by companies with fewer than 100 people!! I dont think anyone has to explain their circumstances to you whatsoever!!! except give an opinion on whether they agree or disagree with the new changes!

Posted by: chris 4:24pm today

I just want to know whatDudd's new Forward with Fairnesslaws are made up of, anyone know???

Posted by: Lynne of Sydney 4:23pm today
Read all 128 comments

We welcome your comments on this story. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Please provide your full name. We also require a working email address - not for publication, but for verification. The location field is optional.Read our publication guidelines.

Submit your feedback here:

(So you don`t have to retype your details each timeyou send feedback.)

Video

Steep previewWatch this Video NOW!
Steep preview

With the upcoming release of Steep, we talk to an extreme skier about the perils of the sport.

Latest videos

More Video

Advertisement

Love & Relationships - Find a date near you on Match.com - # 1 Online Dating site Worldwide.
 
What`s On in New Zealand. To find out What`s On this autumn visit www.newzealand.com
 
Overflowing with benefits Experience life the Platinum Way With American Express Platinum.
 
Virgin Mobile Cheap calls & text across Australia.
 
TIC TAC Taste of Music WIN the ultimate music experience 12 double passes to 12 concerts.
 
Get a higher return Earn a high 7.88% p.a.^ on a 3 month Term Deposit with HSBCPremier.
 
Want to be instantly better off? Find the best Health Insurance online now.
 
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