Unions
“Cruel” IR omnibus bill passes Lower House
The Morrison Government’s industrial relations omnibus bill has passed its first hurdle by being passed in the Federal House of Representatives.
The bill seeks to shift power away from employees towards employer groups and big business. It will do this by changing current bargaining dynamics, re-defining the definition of a “casual worker” and removing current rights to dispute resolution through the Fair Work Commission that workers and their unions currently hold.
Australian Unions President, Michele O’Neil, said that “The Bill fails to address the systemic issue of insecure work in Australia.
“It shifts power towards big business and leaves working people worse off.
The bill was supported by the Liberals and Nationals, as well as independent MP Zali Stegall. It was opposed by Labor, the Greens, Centre Alliance, Katter’s Australia Party and independent MPs Andrew Wilkie and Dr Helen Haines.