The Albanese Government's workplace relations priorities - including proposed legislation to protect penalty rates in awards and changes to better support employees experiencing stillbirth and early infant death - headed discussion at today's meeting of the National Workplace Relations Consultative Council.
The NWRCC is a tripartite forum for Government, employers and unions to constructively consult on workplace relations matters of national importance.
Today's meeting provided an opportunity for the Government to consult and provide an update on key commitments including:
- introducing legislation to protect penalty rates in awards;
- amending the Fair Work Act 2009 to guarantee that working parents dealing with stillbirth and early infant death can continue to access employer-paid parental leave; and
- banning non-complete clauses for employees earning below the Fair Work Act high-income threshold.
Productivity, including the role of Artificial Intelligence in the workplace was also discussed.
Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Amanda Rishworth said it was important that the Government convened with the NWRCC at the earliest possible opportunity in this term to consult on the delivery of its election commitments.
"Labor has a long-standing commitment to constructive consultation on our workplace relations system and these forums are central to that commitment," Minister Rishworth said.
"Today's meeting was a productive conversation regarding progressing some of our Government's commitments and continuing the tripartite way of working.
"Consultation through forums like this allows for a strong workplace relations system which supports sustainable wages, productivity growth and safer workplaces."
Today's meeting was attended by the Australian Council of Trade Unions Secretary Sally McManus, Australian Industry Group Chief Executive Innes Willox, Master Builders Chief Executive Denita Wawn and other union leaders and representatives of employer groups.
The NWRCC is chaired by the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. The council meets twice a year - once in the first half, and once in the second half of a calendar year.
