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Fax from11/ 11/ 96 14: 36 Pg:
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HISTORIC REFERRAL OF VICTORIA'S INDUSTRAL-RELATIONS
POWERS TO THE COMMONWEALTH
Today's in-principle agreement to refer Victoria's industrial relations powers to the
Commonwealth is an historic first in the long history of industrial relations in Australia.
It is also a ringing endorsement of the Federal Government's industrial relations
reforms, It gives substance to the frequent calls of many to reduce the costly duplication of
concurrent responsibilities in such a vital area.
This practical example of co-operative Commonwealth/ State Relations will pave the
way for the development of more flexible workplace arrangements focusing on the
needs of individual enterprises.
It will be of very real benefit to small and medium sized businesses in Victoria.
As a result of today's decision, all Victorian employees and employers will be able to
access the Federal industrial relations system without having to satisfy the requirement
of an interstate dispute or any other constitutional obstacles.
Victorian employers and employees will be free to remain under existing State
arrangements or to choose to become subject to a federal award or agreement.
This is a win-win for all involved.
It means Victorian businesses will no longer face the time consuming and costly
exercise of working with two different industrial relations systems.
It means Victorian workers will be able to negotiate Australian Workplace Agreements
and access the unfair dismissal provisions under the Workplace Relations Bill.
It means the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments will be saved the complexity
of admhnstering two entirely separate industrial relations systems.
I look forward to securing the support of the Federal Paruliament in giving legislative
effect to today's historic announcement.
11I November 1996