Crossbenchers seek to split Labor’s controversial IR bill

Senators Jacqui Lambie and David Pocock have moved to split Labor’s industrial relations bill in a bid to ensure aspects of the reforms relating to workers rights pass this year.

Independent senators Jacqui Lambie and David Pocock. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Independent senators Jacqui Lambie and David Pocock have moved to split Labor’s industrial relations bill to try to ensure aspects of the reforms relating to workers’ rights and safety pass, in a move that has been welcomed by business leaders.

The influential crossbenchers introduced four private senators bills on Monday to strip the Closing Loopholes bill of elements enshrining presumptive legislation for first responders, changes to the small business redundancy exemption, beefing up protections against silica-related diseases and preventing discrimination against domestic violence victims.

Industrial Relations Minister Tony Burke’s omnibus workplace relations bill has provoked fierce opposition from business groups, with the Coalition and the crossbench referring the bill to be probed by a committee inquiry and dashing Labor’s hope of passing it by the end of the year.

Senator Pocock said passing selected aspects of the industrial relations reforms – which were primarily targeted at enforcing minimum pay and conditions for gig economy workers – would enable the Senate to work through “more complex elements” while cementing the vital protections.

“These changes are urgent and I would love to see the parliament put politics aside and get behind some really straightforward measures to benefit workers, rather than making them wait,” Senator Pocock said.

Business Council of Australia chief executive Bran Black backed the crossbenchers’ push to split the bill, describing the Closing Loopholes legislation as a “threat to jobs” that shouldn‘t be rushed through the Senate.

“We strongly support the position taken by Senator Jacqui Lambie and Senator David Pocock on splitting these bills and the Coalition’s efforts in calling for more time to properly scrutinise the 800-page omnibus bill,” he said.

“The government’s wide-ranging IR changes risk sending a wrecking ball through our economy, impacting every business which employs a casual or contract worker.”

Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Andrew McKellar said the business community was supportive of the senators’ push to remove the work, health and safety measures from the bill, but “strongly opposed” its other aspects.

“This is a sensible proposal that will allow the government to proceed quickly with the non-contentious elements of the legislation,” he said.

Minerals Council of Australia chief executive Tania Constable has also backed the move to split the worker health and safety aspects of the bill from the more controversial reforms, accusing the government of attempting to “conflate these uncontentious measures”.

“This is a commonsense approach that will support vulnerable workers at their time of need,” she said.