The Wire

Over the weekend the government unveiled more details about its proposed changes to Australia’s industrial relations laws. So far, the proposals, have been condemned by the Labor party, the Democrats and the Greens as well as the unions, and warmly welcomed by business groups. Government says its proposals will implement a much needed national IR system, simplify the agreement-making process between employers an workers and redress imbalances in unfair dismissal laws. While there has been talk a “softening” of some of the more controversial elements of the laws, some observers at least remain unconvinced. Rae Cooper is a lecturer in Work and Organisational Studies at Sydney Uni’s School of Business. She says any claims of a softening of the government’s approach has more to do with public relations that policy reform. Earlier in the year she a long with 16 other IR academics released a report condemning the proposed changes. The report was dismissed by the Government and criticised by the conservative think tank, the Institute for Public Affairs, who claimed the academics appeared to be “fighting a class war from last century”. Dr Cooper stands by the reports, and claims its criticisms are still warranted. She responded earlier to claims by the Government that the changes are necessary to make Australia more globally competitive in the 21st century.