Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I move Greens amendment (17) on sheet 5729:

(17)  Clause 229, page 208 (lines 1 to 4), omit subclause (2).

This relates to multienterprise agreements. There was some important evidence given to the Senate inquiry about the provisions in the bill relating to multienterprise agreements and single-interest agreements. Evidence was received from unions representing teachers and nurses, for example, who were concerned that the provisions would limit their ability to reach agreements across their occupations and achieve fairness and stability. We share these concerns. Further, we believe it is the right of parties to bargaining to determine the level at which they will bargain. Our amendment does not go so far as to completely address all our concerns on this issue but it does allow Fair Work Australia to assist in multienterprise agreement making. Fair Work Australia will have discretion in how it applies the GFB provisions. We urge the Senate to support these amendments.