Fair Work Australia?

Labor will replace the century-old Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) with a new body called Fair Work Australia if elected into government.

Since the workplace reforms took effect last year, the powers of the IRC have been greatly diminished according to Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd.

The new body will have the power to resolve industrial disputes and set the minimum wage, Rudd said, after having accused the Prime Minister of Americanising the IR laws.

Rudd condemned the present system, referring to it as an "alphabet soup of organisations." He claimed that Fair Work Australia will be a "one-stop shop, which actually establishes a fair and independent umpire."

The plan has the backing from the ACTU.

The ACTU's endorsement has angered the Prime Minister. There is an assumption, Howard said, "that the union movement has some pre-eminent right to determine policy in this area."

Labor's plan, according to Howard, "is a political device to give the impression of modernity but in reality it will hand back even greater power to union bosses in a centralised body."

Howard has support from Chief Executive Peter Hendy of the Australian chamber of commerce and industry who suggested that Labor's Fair Work Australia could be unconstitutional.

Industrial Relations Kevin Rudd John Howard unions Peter Hendy

The Treasure checks his ticker

There was some comforting news for the Prime Minsiter today as he began the first of his series of speeches on his vision for 2020.

The Coalition has gained ground in the latest ACNielsen poll.

On a two-party preferred vote, Labor slipped 2 points to 58 per cent, with the Coalition up 3 points to 42 per cent.

The approval rating for the Opposition Leader is down 1 point to 66 per cent, with the approval rating of the Prime Minister up 3 points to 49 per cent.

Would the results differ significantly if the Treasure was at the helm of the Coalition?

Not according to the voters.

If Costello was the current PM, Labor would be up 2 points to 61 per cent, with the Coalition down 3 points to 39 per cent on a two-party preferred basis.

Costello has again, however, ruled out a challenge. He will be fiddling with his ticker for some time yet.

John Howard ACNielsen Peter Costello

Garrett in rehearsal

Labor ministers are anticipating a showdown at the national ALP conference this weekend.

Shadow Minister for the Environment Peter Garrett has said that he will tackle the Labor leader's motion to overturn Labor’s 25-year opposition to new uranium mines.

"It's clear that there's a strong feeling amongst Labor party members, particularly amongst the rank and file, and also frankly amongst the public, that they don't want to see a change in this policy," Garrett said.

Rudd, who has recently returned from his rendezvous in the United States, has said that he is looking forward to debate the issue with Garrett.


Kevin Rudd ALP conference Peter Garrett uranium mines