16th Nov 2023, 9:05 AM – Representatives Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Bill 2023 - Second Reading - Against the bill

The majority voted against an amendment to the usual second reading motion, which is "that the bill be read a second time" (parliamentary jargon for agreeing with the main idea of the bill). This means that original second reading motion will remain as it is.

Amendment text

That all words after "That" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:

"the House declines to give this bill a second reading until a Senate inquiry into the bill has reported, and notes that:

(1) the Government's industrial relations changes will make life tougher for Australian businesses by increasing costs, complexity and red tape and as businesses say will likely lead to job losses;

(2) the Minister has admitted in his own public comments that this bill will add complexity to an already complex workplace relations system, and increase prices for consumers for everyday services they have come to rely on;

(3) this bill does nothing to address Australia's weakening economy and falling productivity;

(4) the bill does not assist Australian businesses to hire more people, and just ticks off even more items on the unions wish list including new right of entry laws and new union delegate rights;

(5) despite the Minister promising 'carve-out' for small business, all the Government has done is add more complexity and made it harder for small and medium businesses to navigate the industrial relations system;

(6) the Government has failed to outline how this legislation will enhance productivity, lift wages, or generate more jobs; and

(7) at a time of a cost-of-living crisis, high inflation, businesses struggling with staff shortages and rapidly increasing power costs, the Government is making a bad situation worse".