PM Transcripts

Fax from PRIME MINISTER
UNFAIR DISMISSALS
I have today written to the Premiers and Chief Ministers to follow-tip my
Government's decision that businesses with 15 or fewer employees should
be exempt from the federal unfar dismissal provisions in respect of new
employees until they have been continuously employed for 12 months.
I have asked for the Premiers' support in implementing complementary
changes to their own industrial relations legislation. It is very important
that the benefits for employment, particularly of young people are
maximised by ensuring that as many of the states and territories as possible
adopt our approach to unfair dismissals in respect of small businesses.
With State and Territory co-operation it will be possible to ensure that at
least 80 per cent of small businesses with employees benefit from the
Federal Government's initiative. I
At the State level we already have a head start because Victoria, which
referred industrial relations matters to the Commonwealth last year, will
automatically gain the benefits of the change to the Commonwealth
regulations on unfair dismissal. Small businesses in the ACT and the
Northern Territory will also automatically gain the benefits of this change
at -the Commonwealth level.
Many of the state leaders have previously indicated their support for
reforms of the unfair dismissal laws and I look forward to their early cooperation
on this importat national industrial and employment matter.
March 1997 Farft2 S/ 831A97 18: 52 Pg: