The Wire

The Federal Government today unveiled its new Industrial Relations laws effectively ending the era of Howard’s WorkChoices. This afternoon Julia Gillard, Minster for Industrial Relations said the new bill will create a fairer system for both workers and employers. The legislation endorses collective bargaining which will be facilitated and approved by the new industrial umpire, Fair Work Australia. Another breakthrough is a set of national employment standards and updated unfair dismissal laws. Unions have welcomed the changes but are cautious about how the bill will go through the Senate.