Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, upon notice, on 25 June 2012

With reference to the answer to question on notice no. 1570 (Senate Hansard, 8 May 2012, p. 2802), which states 'as the investigations are completely independent of the Government, the Government will consider the findings of the KPMG review before deciding whether to comment publicly on this matter': (1) Given this comment, what prompted the Minister's announcement of changes to the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009. (2) Will the Government make any further changes following the KPMG report.

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) The comment relates to a question on notice (no. 1570) about the length of time taken by Fair Work Australia to complete investigations. In light of the release of the Fair Work Australia reports on the investigations into the Victoria No. 1 Branch and the National Office of the Health Services Union, the Government considered it appropriate to announce amendments to the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 in order to improve financial disclosure and transparency rules, provide for targeted training in financial management, and quickly restore public confidence in the general operation of registered organisations.

(2) The Government has committed to examine the KPMG Review report when finalised and implement any additional changes that may be required as a result of that Review.