First workplace relations meeting
with Rudd Government
Mr Della Bosca said today’s Workplace Relations Ministerial Council meeting in Melbourne, which will also be attended by his State and Territory colleagues, was an historic opportunity to start work on a new industrial relations framework.
“This meeting is an important step in putting in place a system that reflects Australian values such as the fair go principle and is supported by a strong safety net,” the Minister said.
“Work Choices was designed by the Howard Government to deprive many workers of basic rights and entitlements – we now need to put in place a system that provides fairness for families, workers and businesses.
“And the best way to achieve that is for the States, Territories and Commonwealth to work co-operatively and collaboratively together.
“The Work Choices disaster is a clear example of what can happen when the Commonwealth goes it alone without consulting the States and Territories on vital matters.
“Now that we have a Labor Government in Canberra, today’s meeting represents a new dawn in State-Commonwealth relations and a golden opportunity to right the wrongs of the past,” Mr Della Bosca said.
Issues to be discussed at today’s meeting, include:
The Commonwealth’s industrial relations Transitional Bill
Award modernisation
National system for the private sector
The Commonwealth’s Forward with Fairness policy
Harmonisation of OHS legislation
“I welcome Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s commitment to work co-operatively with the States and Territories and the Rudd Government’s Forward with Fairness policy provides the platform to achieve this goal,” the Minister said.
“Quite simply, we will get the best outcomes by working together while utilising local knowledge and experience.
“Collaboration between the Commonwealth and States will put to an end the complexity and confusion created by the Work Choices system,” Mr Della Bosca said.
“It will create long term certainty for both employers and employees,” the Minister said.
“I look forward to working closely with my Federal, State and Territory colleagues in delivering a fair and equitable industrial system,” he added.
NSW Minister for Industrial Relations
1 February 2008
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PROTECTING AUSSIE JOBS 
