A WA parliamentary question regarding the applicability of the Federal 'Right to Disconnect' legislation to WA public sector employees and ministerial staff. The Premier's answer clarifies that the federal law does not apply to WA's state industrial relations system.

AnsweredQoN 978Legislative Assembly
Asked
15 February 2024
Portfolio
Premier

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the Federal Labor Government's new 'Right to Disconnect' legislation, and I ask: (a) Has there been any change in Department of Premier and Cabinet policy pertaining to ministerial staffers as a result of this new law: (i) If so, please provide a brief overview of the changes to Department of Premier and Cabinet policy; and (b) Have you received a briefing from the Department of Premier and Cabinet about how the new law will affect employees of the Department of Premier and Cabinet?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
14 March 2024
Response time
6 days
(a – b) While it is well known that the Leader of the Opposition does not support the industrial rights of workers, it is disappointing that he does not have a basic understanding that there is both a national industrial relations system (Fair Work system) and a State industrial relations system.
The Federal Parliament’s recent amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 apply to Australia’s national system and therefore do not apply to Western Australian public sector employees (or ministerial officers), who are employed under the State’s industrial relations system.

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