The state government has disputed the federal government's suggestion that WorkChoices legislation had contributed to the nation's low unemployment levels.
The state government has disputed the federal government's suggestion that WorkChoices legislation had contributed to the nation's low unemployment levels.
Western Australian Employment Protection Minister John Bowler hit back at the impact of WorkChoices, labelling federal Liberal Party MP, Wilson Tuckey's claims on behalf of the federal government a joke.
"The so-called WorkChoices legislation has increased neither the rights nor conditions of workers across the nation since its introduction in March 2006, and in fact, there have been several well-documented cases where Australian workers have been stripped of pay or conditions and this is just in the first few weeks," Mr Bowler said.
The May 2006 unemployment figure for WA, of 3.5 per cent, was down 0.3 per cent from 3.8 per cent in April. It was the lowest unemployment rate in WA since the current Labour Force series commenced in 1978.
"This level is well before the so-called WorkChoices legislation and far more aligned with the success of the Labour Relations Reform Act (WA) which was introduced in 2002-03," he said
"The WA Government has been instrumental in driving the nation with sustained economic growth - especially in the resources sector - and for the Federal Government to claim it is a result of the imposition of the WorkChoices legislation is laughable."
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Minister laughs at claim of WorkChoices unemployment success.
Employment Protection Minister John Bowler has hit back at claims by the Federal Government suggesting its WorkChoices legislation had led to the nation's low unemployment levels.
"Wilson Tuckey's claims on behalf of the Federal Government are a joke," Mr Bowler said.
"The so-called WorkChoices legislation has increased neither the rights nor conditions of workers across the nation since its introduction in March 2006, and in fact, there have been several well-documented cases where Australian workers have been stripped of pay or conditions and this is just in the first few weeks."
The May 2006 figure of 3.5 per cent for Western Australia was down 0.3 per cent from a revised 3.8 per cent in April. It was the lowest unemployment rate in WA since the current Labour Force series commenced in 1978.
"Unemployment levels in WA have been at, or below, five per cent for 22 consecutive months and have averaged below five per cent since 2002," the Minister said.
"This level is well before the so-called WorkChoices legislation and far more aligned with the success of the Labour Relations Reform Act (WA) which was introduced in 2002-03.
"The WA Government has been instrumental in driving the nation with sustained economic growth - especially in the resources sector - and for the Federal Government to claim it is a result of the imposition of the WorkChoices legislation is laughable."