Ministers to Gain Power to Terminate Protected Industrial Action Under Proposed Queensland Laws

Queensland's industrial relations minister would be granted the power to terminate protected industrial action under certain conditions, according to proposed laws introduced to the state parliament.

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie has put forward sweeping changes to the state's industrial relations laws, which he said "mirrored as much as possible the Fair Work legislation".

Background

The proposed laws come after a prolonged dispute between Queensland Rail and seven unions, which resulted in reduced services and frequent delays for commuters. Mr. Bleijie said he had written to the federal industrial relations minister to intervene in the matter.

"There was some militancy there," he said.

He suggested that if the rail situation was a "state rail issue" and not under the Fair Work legislation, the state government would have "absolutely" intervened.

Proposed Changes

Mr. Bleijie said the proposed laws "essentially mimicked" federal laws introduced by Julia Gillard's government in 2009.

"There was too much disruption to commuters," Mr. Bleijie, who also serves as the Industrial Relations Minister, said.

"But these laws are used in very limited circumstances … it would be extraordinary situations," Mr. Bleijie said.

The proposed laws would allow the minister to terminate protected industrial action if satisfied there is a sufficient public interest justification. Protected industrial action could be terminated if it would threaten to endanger life, personal safety, health or welfare, or cause significant damage to the state's economy.

The bill would also require at least three working days' notice for protected industrial action.

"The striking ability is still there. We've kept arbitration. We've kept conciliation," Mr. Bleijie said.

Union Response

Queensland's peak union body has expressed concerns about the proposed changes, particularly with regards to psychological injury claims. Queensland Council of Unions General Secretary Jacqueline King said psychological injuries can have more than one cause.

"Requiring work to be the major contributing factor risks shutting workers out of compensation and access to the support they need," she said.

"These changes should not be rushed through parliament with all stakeholders needing sufficient time to consult and scrutinise their impact."

Next Steps

The bill has been referred to a parliamentary committee for examination before it is brought back for debate in the House.

The state's industrial relations jurisdiction covers around 383,000 workers, while the remaining estimated 2.66 million workers are covered by the Fair Work Act 2009.

The legislation follows an independent review of the state's industrial relations laws, which received written submissions from 97 stakeholders.