Monday, September 4, 2023 
 

Business Chamber Queensland’s IR Alert provides members with valuable information on important employment relations and workplace matters.
 

IR REFORMS BILL INTRODUCED TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

This afternoon, the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Bill 2003 (“Bill”) was introduced into the House of Representatives. This is the third tranche of industrial reforms introduced by the Federal Government in the last 12 months.

The Bill will address a number of significant and controversial reforms, including but not limited to:

• Casual employment - addressing the current definition in the Fair Work Act 2009;
• Labour hire reforms, which will also see a new definition of employee in the above Act;
• Criminalisation of wage theft. Wage theft has been a criminal offense in Queensland for several years already, with the application of criminal action being for intentional action of an employer not to pay an employee what they are entitled to. In a positive step, the federal legislation will also reflect the intentional criteria (it was first touted as ‘reckless’ action). Jail time and significant financial penalties will apply – up to 3 times the value of the underpayment;
• Right of entry changes that will work with wage theft provisions; and
• Employee-like employment reforms. This will provide the Fair Work Commission (‘FWC’) with the ability to set minimum conditions for gig workers. There will be restrictions to conditions, and three set characteristics of gig work must be met before the FWC can address minimum conditions.

It's expected the House of Representatives will consider the Bill for at least four weeks before it is considered in the Senate.

More information and IR Reforms Working Group

More information about the Bill will be made available in coming weeks. We will provide you with more information as it becomes available. 

If you are interested in being part the Business Chamber Queensland IR Reforms Working Group, please contact Joanna Minchinton, General Manager - Workplace Services via email.

We are available to assist you

If you are a Business Essentials or Evolve member that has workplace services included in your membership package contact our Workplace Advisory Services Team on 1300 135 822 or via email advice@businesschamberqld.com.au  if you would like more information or advice.

Connect and non-members can also access our workplace services, however a consultancy fee will apply.

Our advisors can help you with information about WorkCover claims, how to handle returning to work, case reviews and appeals processes, and more. We can also help you understand the steps in the process, where to find relevant information and who to speak to at different points along the way.    
  
Our service is available to all Queensland employers through this website and by calling  1300 365 855 and speaking with an advisor or emailing  workcoverinfo@businesschamberqld.com.au
  
As part of Business Chamber Queensland’s free workers' compensation information service to Queensland employers, Business Chamber Queensland has made available free resources to assist employers who are preparing the return to work process for an employee.  Contact workcoverinfo@businesschamberqld.com.au for details.