Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

I give notice that on the next day of sitting I shall move:

That the provisions of paragraphs (5) to (8) of standing order 111 not apply to the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Withdrawal from Amalgamation) Bill 2024, allowing it to be considered during this period of sittings.

I also table a statement of reasons justifying the need for the bill to be considered during these sittings and seek leave to have the statement incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The document read as follows—

Statement o f Reasons f or Introduction a nd Passage i n t he 2024 Winter Sittings

Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Withdrawal f rom Amalgamation) Bill 2024

Purpose of the Bill

The Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Withdrawal from Amalgamation) Bill 2024 (the Bill) will amend the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 (RO Act) to allow the Manufacturing Division of the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) to de-amalgamate from that union, if supported by a ballot of relevant members. Consequential amendments will ensure clarity and certainty in coverage rules for members of the resulting two entities.

Reasons for Urgency

On 27 February 2024, Senator Lambie introduced the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Protecting Vulnerable Workers) Bill 2024 (Private Member's Bill) into the Senate.

The Bill provides an alternative option for the Parliament that allows the Manufacturing Division to de-amalgamate from the CFMEU, if supported by a ballot. The Bill retains key elements of the Private Member's Bill, and also contains clear provisions around proposed coverage for members (and other issues consequential to the de-amalgamation, if supported). Addressing this quickly will provide certainty for the affected entities and their members.

The Bill is designed to further reduce the risk of demarcation disputes, and passage in the 2024 Winter sittings will give affected organisation members a prompt opportunity to be part of a new registered organisation.