Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I move amendments (2), (3) and (4) standing in my name on sheet 5612:

(2)    Clause 10, page 9 (lines 10 to 13), omit paragraphs (1)(d) and (e), substitute:

             (d)    3 members nominated by the Australian Council of Trade Unions;

             (e)    3 members nominated by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry;

(3)    Clause 15, page 11 (line 16) to page 12 (line 1), omit subclauses (2) to (5), substitute:

        (2)    The Minister can only make the appointment if the person has been nominated for the appointment by the Australian Council of Trade Unions.

(4)    Clause 16, page 12 (lines 8 to 21), omit subclauses (2) to (5), substitute:

        (2)    The Minister can only make the appointment if the person has been nominated for the appointment by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

I move these amendments as I believe that they will ensure that the membership of Safe Work Australia will be more representative than what is proposed in the bill. Relating to amendment (2), it is important that the two peak bodies representing employers and employees in this country are represented. I note that by increasing the membership to three of each there will be a better balance between the two. I also believe it is appropriate that they be the ACTU and the ACCI, given the role they have had in relation to this. The peak employer and peak union bodies recognised by the ILO in this country are the ACTU and the ACCI. Amendments (3) and (4) are consequential in the sense that these appointments must be nominated by the ACTU and the ACCI respectively.

I urge honourable members to support these amendments. I believe they will make the membership of Safe Work Australia more representative, genuinely tripartite in its composition and therefore more effective in the important role it has.