One day after abandoning planned industrial relations reforms, premier Colin Barnett today explained his decision, saying he had no desire for Work Choices-style reforms.
One day after abandoning planned industrial relations reforms, premier Colin Barnett today explained his decision, saying he had no desire for Work Choices-style reforms.
"We are certainly not implementing the thrust of the Amendola report, which is a WorkChoices thrust," he said today, referring to the Howard government's controversial IR reforms.
Mr Barnett also criticised the cost of the Amendola report,which was commissioned by Troy Buswell, when he was commerce minister, and written by lawyer Steven Amendola.
Responding to questions about the $850,000 cost, Mr Barnett said: "I think too much was spent on that report, yes."
He said the government would confine its reforms to administrative and technical changes, to harmonise the state and federal systems.
"The Amendola report contains a lot of, if you like, WorkChoice policies and we are not going down that path.
"What it also recommends is ways of better coordinating the state industrial system with the federal one and some technical improvements, and some of those will be looked at."
Mr Barnett said the main labour market issue facing the state was skilled labour shortages, and that would be his focus rather than industrial relations reform.
"I think we have seen so much change in Australian industrial relations over the last few years, I think the one thing employers and employees would agree on, is let's just leave the system stable."
Mr Barnett also rejected advice from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA, which said that if the state did not fix its own system, it should refer its IR powers to the federal government.
"We won't be referring powers," he said, saying the state we will retain jurisdiction over state government and local government workers and unincorprated enterprises.
"Just imagine a situation if Western Australia was to hand control over industrial relations matters for WA government employees to the Canberra bureaucracy, it's never going to happen."
CCI's Marcia Kuhne said yesterday that Mr Barnett's decision to abandon the reform was a "wasted opportunity" and the state should surrender its IR powers to the Commonwealth.
"In the absence of reform of the State system, this is the only course of action that will save employers in WA from the burden of industrial laws that are bad for business," Ms Kuhne said.
"There are State awards that are more than 30 years old, they are long and complicated and do not meet the needs of modern, small businesses.
"It is frustrating that so much time and taxpayers' money has been spent on an ultimately fruitless exercise."
