The Federal Government has re-introduced legislation that provides a public interest test for union mergers and makes it easier to de-register unions and disqualify union officials.  The Federal Government has amended both previously rejected bills; the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Ensuring Integrity) Bill 2019, and the Fair Work Laws Amendment (Proper Use of Worker Benefits) Bill 2019, to make them harsher.  These laws would give the Federal Government, big business and their lobbyists, power to interfere with how unions are run, to disqualify union officers, to shut down unions, and stop unions from merging.

These bills are a serious attack on working people and the trade union movement.

These draft laws do nothing to stop big business stealing wages.  Does nothing to keep people safe at work.  Does nothing about record low wage growth that is causing the economy to stall.  It will do nothing to fix insecure work. 

In fact, this law will undermine workplace safety, increase wage and superannuation theft, and make it harder for workers to get pay increases and be represented when they need help.

The draft laws will make it harder for unions to do our job

Due to an intensive effort with cross bench Senators, both the Bills have been sent to Senate Inquiries which will report on 25th October.  The Government was intending to push both these Bills through during the sitting weeks of July.