Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke has successfully brokered a deal with employers representing some of the nation’s largest resource and energy companies, which could help the government pass its controversial industrial relations bill through the Senate. The agreement, signed on Tuesday, exempts service contractors from the new workplace laws.
The Australian Resources and Energy Employer Association (AREEA), whose members include Fortescue (ASX:FMG), Woodside, ExxonMobil, and Chevron (NYSE:CVX), was one of the signatories. This is the third significant breakthrough achieved by Burke, following agreements with the Australian Hotels Association and gig platforms. However, the deal is a setback for employer groups representing BHP (ASX:BHP) and Qantas, who want to kill off the bill.
Burke said that AREEA had sought amendments to make it explicitly clear that service contractors should not be captured by the new laws. “These amendments will put it beyond doubt,” he said. “We will end up with better legislation as a result of the constructive engagement and industrial expertise that AREEA has brought to the table.”
Burke also took aim at business groups still campaigning against the changes, saying, “The only reason left for opposing the government’s actions on the labour-hire loophole is because employers want to continue underpaying people.”
Column: Tony Burke’s breakthrough deal with Steve Knott is the most remarkable alliance in industrial relations politics since Christian Porter revealed he had become “best friends forever” with Sally McManus at the height of the Covid crisis. @australian https://t.co/rt16DrxY2w— Ewin Hannan (@EwinHannan) November 21, 2023
AREEA chief executive Steve Knott, who has been a vocal critic of Labor’s workplace policy agenda, commended Burke for responding to his members’ concerns that the government’s labour-hire proposals could potentially impact the broader resources and energy sector.
Knott noted the “significant” amendments would ensure that contracting businesses delivering services to mining, energy, and all other sectors of the economy would be exempted from the new labour laws.
Source: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/