Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The opposition opposes this amendment as well. This amendment will change the situation in relation to modern awards. The opposition says that there is no requirement for this provision as the draft modern awards already contain such a provision. But, importantly, it removes the qualification in the modern awards system that no employer is required to disclose confidential information if such disclosure would be contrary to the employer’s interests. This allows for the representation of those for the purposes of that consultation. Matters in relation to, let us say, a publicly listed company could potentially be divulged prior to the stock market and shareholders being advised, and we do not think that is a good course of action. This is another one of these amendments that have been rushed in at the end and that were not properly aired at the Senate committee.