The Government is trying to push this legislation through at a time when they should be thanking and supporting workers who have worked hard to keep Australia moving throughout this pandemic. Instead, they want these changes to coincide with the end of pandemic financial support measures.

There are many changes proposed but one that will be of interest to our members is that work may well become even less secure in the future. The right to request conversion from casual to permanent employment can be rejected without reason from the employer and there are no appeal rights. Part time employees may be given limited hour contracts but be expected to work extra hours with no entitlement to overtime payments. The employer is no longer going to have to advise that workers have a right to be represented during Enterprise Agreement Bargaining and changes to voting processes on an Enterprise Agreement make it easier for a substandard Agreement to be ‘passed.’

The fact that the Government introduced the Bill just before Christmas and intend to push the changes through before March 2021, strongly suggests that they know these changes will NOT advantage the workforce but rather are for the benefit of employers (particularly those who run big businesses).

Please keep an eye out for email updates to see how you may be able to get involved. We will also be keeping members updated via our social media and fortnightly eNews.

Updates correct as at 21 January 2021.
Authorised by Emily Shepherd, ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary