Further IR Reform for Local Governments
The Minister for Industrial Relations the Hon. Simone McGurk introduced the Industrial Relations Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 (IRLA Bill 2024) into WA Parliament yesterday.
If passed by WA Parliament, the IRLA Bill 2024 will:
- Redefine the terms “employee” and “employer” and “casual employee”
- Amend the Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993 (WA) (MCE Act) to increase the statutory minimum casual loading from 20 to 25% and amend public holiday minimums.
- Establish new employee right to request a flexible working arrangement consistent with the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act)
- Enable the Local Government (Long Service Leave) Regulations 2024 to be enforced under the IR Act
- Introduce a new prohibition on sexual harassment in connection with work, as contained in the FW Act
- Establish a fit and proper person test for a union official to obtain a right of entry permit under the Industrial Relations Act 1979 (IR Act)
- Increase the penalties for contravening State employment laws. The maximum penalties will increase from $65,000 to $93,000 for a body corporate and $13,000 to $18,000 for an individual.
The proposed amendments to State legislation can be viewed via the following Blue Bills:
The progress of the IRLA Bill 2024 is likely to be swift and can be monitored here.Further information about the IR reform is available on the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety website here .
If you have any questions about this alert, please email WALGA Employee Relations or call 1300 366 956.
