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, in writing, on 25 June 2012:

With reference to the Fair Work Australia case involving JJ Richards & Sons: (a) does the Government intend on making amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 to reflect what was promised during the lead up to the 2007 Federal Election; or (b) does the Government agree with the decision of the Federal Court of Australia, and subsequently support the precedent that union bosses can take strike action without the majority support of workers and without having commenced good faith negotiations.

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:

(a) The decision of the Full Court of the Federal Court in J.J Richards & Sons Pty Ltd v Fair Work Australia [2012] FCAFC 53 was raised in a number of submissions to the post-implementation review of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Fair Work Review). The Fair Work Review Panel recommended amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 in relation to the decision. The Government will provide its response to the Fair Work Review Panel's report following stakeholder consultation.

(b) The Government notes the decision and the recommendations of the Fair Work Review Panel. As stated above, the Government will respond to the Fair Work Review Panel's recommendation in relation to the decision following consultation with stakeholders.