Fed: Govt tries again to ease unfair dismissal laws

AAP General News (Australia)
08-30-2001
Fed: Govt tries again to ease unfair dismissal laws

The federal government has moved again to ease unfair dismissal requirements on small
business, at the same time restricting union access to workers in small firms.

The new bill follows several attempts during the life of the current government to
exempt small firms from the full weight of labour laws.

All have failed in the face of Labor and Australian Democrats resistance in the Senate.

The new legislation curtails union access to small business premises, eases the burden
of unfair dismissal claims on small business and streamlines processes for Australian
Workplace Agreements.

Workplace Relations Minister TONY ABBOTT says the bill aims to make the system more
small business friendly.

But ACTU secretary GREG COMBET says the bill would remove legal rights from half the
Australian workforce, or more than three million employees of businesses with fewer than
20 staff.

Debate on the new bill was adjourned in the House of Representatives today.

AAP RTV dep/daw/wz/rp

KEYWORD: SMALL (CANBERRA)

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