Allegra Spender (Wentworth, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I'd just like to make some brief comments in relation to the government's amendments, and I'll reserve some further remarks for the Net Zero Economy Authority Bill 2024 when I move my own amendments. The creation of the net zero authority is an unprecedented step to tackle the unprecedented challenge of climate change. We have a huge transition to manage and not very much time. So, whilst I am not normally supportive of government playing such an active role in affairs of private companies, I think in this case it's both appropriate and necessary. Ninety per cent of our coal-fired power stations are set to close in the next decade, and we won't be able to support workers through this transition without government stepping in.

This legislation and the amendments go to industrial relations, a topic that is close to my heart. I want to acknowledge the concerns raised by the Business Council of Australia and the Australian Industry Group into some aspects of this bill. The government amendments address several of the concerns raised by business groups, particularly in relation to the interaction between the activities of the authority and existing enterprise agreements and by clarifying notice requirements for employees when they take paid time off to undertake training for a new role. I'm also pleased to see a requirement for consultation with relevant employer groups before a community-of-interest application can be made.

We don't need more complexity in our industrial relations regime. We need less, and so I welcome the government working constructively with business and unions to address some of these issues. If a collaborative approach to streamlining and simplifying industrial relations laws can be taken in this bill, then I urge the government to do so across other areas of the economy.

Question agreed to.

See this speech in context