Industrial legislation in Australia in 2012

Abstract

The year 2012 produced a high volume of developments in the industrial relations law sphere. The Review of the operation of the Fair Work legislation dominated the federal agenda and, accordingly, is the primary focus of this article. We detail key recommendations and outcomes of the Review, including associated amendments. Next, we consider other federal changes, which were expansive in focus. Federal reforms included: a new legislated employee entitlements scheme to replace the administrative General Employee Entitlements and Redundancy Scheme; new regulation of the road transport industry; an overhaul of workplace gender equality legislation; revised governance obligations for registered organisations; and the introduction of the ‘dad and partner pay’ scheme as part of the Commonwealth's parental leave package. Turning to the states and territories, we summarise public sector workplace law changes in both New South Wales and Queensland and address other notable developments across jurisdictions.