Arabic version: مراجعة كوينزلاند تقدم 104 توصيات بشأن العلاقات الصناعية

According to ABC News, an independent review of Queensland’s industrial relations laws has made 104 recommendations, with the state government accepting 75 in full. The report was completed in September and was led by Glenn Ferguson AM, a former Law Council of Australia president, alongside Gary Black, a former Commissioner in the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission.

The government accepted 14 further recommendations in principle, noted six and did not accept nine. Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie is set to introduce a bill to parliament on Wednesday evening, with the proposed changes intended to bring Queensland in line with other jurisdictions.

Among the accepted recommendations is a robust “fit and proper person” test for union officials seeking lawful right-of-entry powers at worksites. The review also recommended protections for union whistleblowers, changes to ensure union officials represent only workers within their responsibilities, and publication of union rules.

The government also accepted recommendations to expand rights and protections for unregistered industrial associations and promote employees’ freedom to choose the industrial entity that represents them. Mr Bleijie said the reforms would not remove unions’ ability to represent workers, workers’ right to strike for fairer pay, existing flexible-work opportunities, or workers’ ability to decide whether to join a union. The review said it could not consider outcomes and findings from the Commission of Inquiry into the CFMEU because that inquiry had been extended until December.