Industrial Legislation in 2009

In 2009, two major pieces of industrial legislation were enacted to give effect to the Labor Government's commitment to replace Work Choices with laws for 'Fair Work'. The Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) promises to bring greater stability and simplicity to Australia's workplace relations system. However, transitional rules in the Fair Work (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2009 (Cth) mean that it will be some time before participants in the system can enjoy these benefits. This review gives a brief account of both Acts before examining in more detail the enterprise bargaining rules which commenced operating in July under the supervision of a new institution, Fair Work Australia. We then consider two aspects of the Fair Work legislation which are most likely to provoke controversy when they commence operating in 2010, the adverse action and transfer of business provisions. We also look at the steps taken by federal and state governments to move towards a national system of workplace relations.