Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

There is a date, though. I would note that every year member states are required to report to the ILO Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations on their compliance with a range of ILO conventions. Australia’s next regularly scheduled compliance report is due on 1 September 2009 and will include advice of compliance with fundamental conventions, such as the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention 1948, which is convention No. 87, and the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention 1949, which is convention No. 98.

Can I add that, as you may have gleaned from the debate, we are not minded to support your amendments. There is a specific reference to Australia’s international labour obligations in the principal objects of the bill, which is not a feature of the current workplace relations legislation, and it does recognise the importance the government attaches to its international obligations. The government is satisfied that the way in which the objects are currently framed is appropriate. Accordingly, the government will not be supporting your amendments. I will not go into the specifics of each convention, but can I say that due consideration was given to Australia’s international commitments in developing the Fair Work Bill to ensure that the bill is compliant with Australia’s commitments under the ratified the ILO conventions. We are conscious of the commitments regarding international labour standards and strongly support the International Labour Organisation, the ILO, in its objective of promoting decent work for all and raising labour and social standards.

I think I have covered all of the issues that you have raised. If not, I am happy to come back to any that you may still have outstanding.