[Greens-Media] Greens: Restore the Industrial Relations Commission

[Paris, Nicola (Sen R. Siewert)]

Senator Rachel Siewert
Australian Greens Senator for WA

MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday 26 April, 2007

Greens: Restore the Industrial Relations Commission

"Rather than inventing a new system, the Australian Greens would restore
and update the powers of the Australian Industry Relations Commission
(AIRC)," said Greens IR spokesperson Senator Rachel Siewert today.

"The AIRC has severed our nation well for decades.  The quickest way to
get our industrial relations system back on its feet and serving the
interests of Australian workers is simply to reinstate the powers of the
AIRC"

"The ALP are reinventing the wheel by proposing a new IR watchdog.  Not
only would it be much simpler to reinstate AIRC it would also ensure the
result was a fair and equitable industrial relations system," said
Senator Siewert.

"The Greens believe we should reinstate the powers of the AIRC of
arbitration, minimum wage setting and hearing wage cases.  We also
believe that we should up grade its role to take responsibility for
ensuring work-life balance issues are address in the work place-which
will boost both productivity and quality of life."

"We need to update the powers of the AIRC for the 21 century," she said.
"Work-life balance is one of the major issues facing workers and
families - we need an IR system that delivers balance."

"This is a more efficient and effective way to get the system working in
the interests of Australia's working families."

"Labor are compromising their IR policy to placate business - failing to
restore the right to strike, undermining collective bargaining and not
extending unfair dismissal laws to all workers," said Senator Siewert.
"We are not confident that their proposal will deliver on Mr Rudd's
promises.  It will comprise workers rights and undermine the chance of
restoring a fair and just IR system," she concluded.


For more information or comment call Chris Twomey on 0407 725 025
Email senator.siewert at aph.gov.au  |  http://www.rachelsiewert.org.au