The Federal Government has released its legislative program for the upcoming spring session of parliament. A number of the Bills relate to industrial relations and employment matters.

A summary of relevant (proposed) legislation from the parliamentary site is set out below.

Bills marked with an asterisk (*) are proposed for introduction and passage in the spring sittings.

Forward with Fairness Bill

• establish a new national industrial relations system

Reason for legislation: to implement an election commitment

Disability Discrimination Amendment (Productivity Commission Review and Other Measures) Bill

• amend the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) to implement recommendations arising from the Productivity Commission’s review of the DDA

Reason for legislation: to improve the effectiveness and operation of existing legislation.

Superannuation Legislation Amendment Bill

• simplify, update and improve the operation of the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 and superannuation legislation in the portfolio of the Minister for Finance and Deregulation

• repeal obsolete legislation

Reason for legislation: to update and improve the operation of superannuation legislation.

Migration Amendment (Worker Protection) Bill *

• improve the integrity of the temporary residence program, including the Subclass 457 Business (Long Stay) visa program

Reason for legislation: to update and improve the operation of existing legislation

Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws — General Law Reform) Bill *

• implement the second stage of amendments to a wide range of Commonwealth laws that currently discriminate on the basis of sexuality and provide for differential treatment of same‑sex couples and their children, compared to opposite‑sex couples and their children

Reason for legislation: to implement an election commitment.

Social Security Legislation Amendment (Employment Services Reform) Bill *

• introduce a simpler, more effective and better targeted modern Employment Services system that will help the most disadvantaged Australians find work

• give effect to the new employment service model by introducing a new compliance framework; making consequential amendments flowing from the introduction of the new employment services system; and making other technical and consequential amendments including changes to the activity and participation requirement provisions

Reason for legislation: to implement a 2008 Budget announcement.

More information

The federal parliamentary website has full details.


Related

Federal IR under Labor