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

I move government amendment (1) on sheet PZ330:

(1)    Clause 394, page 329 (line 13), omit “7”, substitute “14”.

The government notes that many stakeholders do express concern that the seven-day application period may result in vulnerable workers, or workers who are unaware of the remedy, being deprived of the opportunity to have a legitimate claim considered by Fair Work Australia. In particular, the government acknowledges the concern that, in such a case, the exceptional circumstances requirement may be difficult to demonstrate. The government is therefore prepared to support an extension of the existing seven-day period to 14 days. The government does not support an extension to 21 days as it considers that this would undermine its policy of providing certainty to business and a speedy resolution.