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

I move amendment (2) standing in my name on sheet 5829:

(2)    Schedule 5, item 2, page 58 (after line 23), at the end of subitem (5), add:

   ; and (c)    the likely effects on the relevant industry or industry sector of any modern award that the Commission is considering, or is proposing to make, including on productivity, labour costs and the regulatory burden on businesses.

This amendment relates to award modernisation. I alluded to this amendment last night. When Senator Abetz moved the coalition’s amendment I indicated that I could not support that because I believed that an alternative approach would be better in relation to considering the various issues that are of concern to the coalition and, indeed, to the government.

This amendment would also require the AIRC to consider the likely effects on the relevant industry or industry sector of any modern award that the commission is considering or is proposing to make, including on productivity, labour costs and the regulatory burden on business. I think that covers all those issues of concern that the coalition considered but in a way that is consistent with parts A and B of the clause. This is about taking into account, for instance, the concerns of the horticulture industry. It provides additional guidance in relation to conditions that should be considered in the transition on to modern awards. In relation to horticulture, for instance, my office has had extensive discussions and I have had discussions with the SA Riverland horticulture industry and this amendment, I think, would fairly take into account the concerns of the industry whilst protecting the interests of workers in that industry. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. I think it would take up some of the concerns of the coalition but in a way that is entirely consistent with the structure of the current legislation.