"I am not going to be intimidated from trying to protect people from unfair treatment — that's our job, even though it's being made illegal...And I for one will not be paying fines for doing it."

Greg Combet responding to the proclaiming of repressive industrial relations laws that make many union activities illegal. 400 extra pages of details were released yesterday after the SA and Tasmanian state elections. The industrial relations minister has unprecedented powers to intervene into workplace agreements.

More info: Age Article | Sydney Morning Herald Article |

The attacks on unions in the regulations were profound, but not surprising

"If the unions play by the new rules, every single thing they try to do will be on the minister's desk within 24 hours on some issues and one week for the others...The new role of the [Industrial Relations] Commission and the Employer Advocate is essentially to be the eyes and ears of the [Federal Government]"

Deputy director of Sydney University's Industrial Relations Research Centre, Dr John Buchanan.

More Info: Sydney Morning Herald Article

ACTU 19 March 2006
Details of harsh new Federal Government fines and penalties for workers and unions and a crackdown on union activity in the workplace have been revealed by Workplace Minister Kevin Andrews who today released details of regulations relating to the Government's new industrial relations laws.

Under the regulations workers and unions can be hit with Federal Government fines of between $6,000 and $33,000 for seeking commitments from employers around job security or fair treatment processes and many basic union activities in the workplace have been effectively outlawed.

Commenting on the new regulations ACTU Secretary Greg Combet said:

"These laws are an affront to basic Australian democratic rights. They impose harsh fines on Australian workers and unions simply for standing up for fundamental values like job security and fair treatment for employees.

"Under the regulations workers or unions who even ask to have certain matters contained in a workplace agreement will be fined by the Government. For example, an individual or union that seeks to have some protection from harsh or unfair dismissal for workers written into a workplace agreement will be fined $6,000 and $33,000 respectively by the Government - even where their employer also wants or agrees to such a provision.

"The question that the Federal Government and Kevin Andrews need to answer is why should a worker or a union be fined by the Government for trying to make jobs more secure or asking for fair treatment for workers?

"These are things of fundamental importance to workers and working families - job security and fair treatment - but the Government is saying it will now be illegal for workers or unions to even ask for
these things.

"The laws also provide for fines for workers or unions who seek commitments in agreements that union or OH&S representatives will have access to training or that union members be allowed to meet to discuss workplace issues. Clauses regulating the use of independent contractors or labour hire employees have also been banned.

"These laws infringe the basic rights of every Australian worker. They will increase the pressure on people in the workplace and put more pressure on the incomes and lifestyles of Australian working families. The Federal Government has produced no valid argument, evidence or justification as to why such laws are necessary."

This article can be found on the Web at:
http://www.actu.asn.au/work_rights/news/1142743273_24950.html