Business groups say Unions dictate unfair dismissal reforms

Businesses are critical of the limited change to unfair dismissal provisions announced by the Federal Government yesterday, claiming unions have been effectively given a "veto right" on reform.

Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten announced the government would implement 17 of the 53 proposed reforms, including reforms which put a time limit on lodging unfair dismissal claims and imposed cost implications for vexatious claims without merit.

However, the government put more controversial reforms on hold until next year, with Shorten defending the delay as part of the consultation process.

"There is pressure on me from both employers and unions to rule certain things in, to rule certain things out. But what was pleasing today is that whilst some would like me to move in one direction more quickly, or some would like me to move in another direction more quickly, everyone accepts this is a government who consulted well," Shorten said yesterday (15 October 2012), announcing the changes.

To read more, click here.

Want to learn more? TimeBase's Employment Point-in-Time Service allows subscribers to view complete histories of legislative provisions, compare changes over time and search for relevant content at any date. Contact TimeBase for a free trial.