WA Labor MP Kate Doust questions the Minister for Commerce regarding consultations between the WA and Federal governments on proposed amendments to the Fair Work Act concerning emergency service volunteers. The Minister confirms a briefing occurred and clarifies the legislation's scope.

AnsweredQoN 768Legislative Council
Asked
23 August 2016
Portfolio
Minister for Commerce

QuestionView source ↗

FAIR WORK ACT — PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
768. Hon KATE DOUST to the Minister for Commerce:
I refer to the federal government's proposal to amend the Fair
Work Act and strike out any parts of enterprise agreements that interfere with
an emergency service organisation's ability to manage and promote its
volunteers. In addition, the proposal will also invalidate any terms that are
inconsistent with the state and territory laws that govern such organisations.
(1) Given that this new law may impact on Western
Australia, what consultations or communications took place between the WA
government and the federal government on these proposed laws?
(2) Can the minister identify any EBA that may contain clauses impacted
by these laws?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) The state government was briefed on the
exposure draft of the proposed legislation by the commonwealth Department of
Employment on 22 August 2016.
(2) The commonwealth Department of
Employment advises that the proposed legislation will apply to enterprise
agreements registered under the commonwealth Fair Work Act 2009, and does not
apply to industrial agreements registered under the Western Australian
Industrial Relations Act 1979.

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