Industrial Legislation in 2008

Sutherland, Carolyn

Abstract

Industrial Legislation in 2008

Carolyn E. Sutherland

Monash University - Department of Business Law & Taxation

June 1, 2008

Journal of Industrial Relations, Vol. 51, No. 3, pp. 297- 311, 2008

Abstract:
In March 2008, the Rudd Government started to dismantle Work Choices. The Workplace Relations Amendment (Transition to Forward with Fairness) Act 2008 (Cth) reintroduced agreement-making safeguards, and removed the option of making Australian Workplace Agreements. The legislation also provided the legal framework for the creation of 'modern awards', paving the way for the more far-reaching reforms that are outlined in the Fair Work Bill 2008 (Cth). The first section of the article examines these transitional measures. The second section briefly considers the key features of the Fair Work Bill, concluding that its content and relative simplicity are broadly consistent with the promises made by the Government in its pre-election Forward with Fairness policy. Finally, the article highlights some of the legislative developments at the State level in 2008.

Keywords: Employment Protection, Fair Work Bill, Industrial Laws, Work Choices, Workplace Relations

JEL Classification: J50, K31

Accepted Paper Series

Date posted: May 25, 2011

Suggested Citation

Sutherland, Carolyn E., Industrial Legislation in 2008 (June 1, 2008). Journal of Industrial Relations, Vol. 51, No. 3, pp. 297- 311, 2008 . Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1847243

Contact Information

Carolyn E. Sutherland (Contact Author)

Monash University - Department of Business Law & Taxation ( email )

Caulfield Campus
Sir John Monash Drive
Caulfield East, Victoria 3084
Australia