IR bill tests for Labor
Anthony Albanese now has a clear test to pass in this term of Government after his radical shake-up of the industrial relations system was rammed through the Parliament today.
“The test for Mr Albanese and his Government is that there must now be a substantial increase in real wages across the economy.” Senator Cash said.
“We will hold this Government to account on this legislation, they have promised a lot and they must now deliver or will be judged to have duped the Australian voting public,” she said.
“Minister Tony Burke has made much about the urgency of getting this Bill passed,’’ she said.
“Australian workers will now expect pay rises very quickly and Mr Burke will have to deliver on that promise.’’ Senator Cash said.
The second part of the test for the Albanese Government is maintaining Australia’s record low unemployment levels.
“If there is an increase in unemployment this Bill will be judged as a dismal failure,’’ Senator Cash said.
The third test will be the level of strike action across the nation.
“More strikes will damage our economy. If the number of strikes goes up the Government will also have failed,’’ Senator Cash said.
This Bill also abolishes the Australian Building and Construction Commission which leaves the construction industry at the mercy of Australia’s most militant union the CFMMEU.
“The cost of building this nation’s most important infrastructure will be another test for this Government. If costs rise they will have failed,’’ Senator Cash said.
“And they will also be judged on the safety of women and all workers in the sector,’’ she said.
This legislation will also be judged on Australia’s inflation level.
“If prices rise for Australian families this will also mean failure for this Government’s Bill,’’ Senator Cash said.
“This Bill is a radical shake up of our workplace system and will be judged by what it does to our economy,’’ Senator Cash said.