Business groups are calling the passage of industrial relations bill measures “an act of economic vandalism.” Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke initiated a deal with crossbenchers David Pocock and Jacqui Lambie to pass the key measures. The Senate approved several measures including “same job, same pay” for labor hire workers, and criminalizing intentional wage theft, adding a new criminal offense of industrial manslaughter, better support for first responders’ post-traumatic stress disorder, and protections for workers subjected to family and domestic violence from discrimination at work. Other measures in the government’s original bill will be debated next year, including proposed casual employment changes and gig economy provisions.
Senator Pocock described the bill as a way to stop big companies from exploiting loopholes against workers. However, opposition employment spokeswoman Michaelia Cash argued that the new agreement delivers a “union agenda” at the expense of employers. Business groups have expressed concern that the bill would significantly increase union powers in the workplace. The Mining Council of Australia characterized the bill as “economic vandalism,” asserting that it would increase the cost of doing business in Australia, causing businesses to shift operations elsewhere. On the other hand, ACTU Secretary Sally McManus viewed the agreement as a “cost of living Christmas present” for working people.