NFF concerned by workplace bill

The peak farming body has called for the contentious bill to be split in two so proposed changes to the Fair Work Act can be better scrutinised.

The National Farmers’ Federation fears Anthony Albanese’s industrial relations legislation expanding multi-employer bargaining could negatively impact the food supply chain.

The peak farming body has joined Senate crossbenchers David Pocock and Jacqui Lambie and business groups in calling for the omnibus bill to be split in half so that it can be properly scrutinised instead of “rush through” Parliament before Christmas.

“We understand there are parts of the bill that won’t affect agriculture or farm businesses and we’re supportive of those but the complexity and potential unintended consequences of the other parts of the bill we think needs more concentration and a little bit more time for industry to get its head around,” NFF chief executive Tony Mahar told The Australia Ag Podcast.

“We’re proposing the bill be split and the second part examined a little more closely. The first part deals with social reforms, workplace equity which we’re completely fine with. The second part is the enterprise bargaining arrangements, which we do think could have a potential negative impact on agriculture farm supply.

“Not necessarily directly on-farm in a significant way but we are concerned about the ramifications should industrial action be more forthcoming down the supply chain, so whether that’s in the meat processing sector, fruit and vegetable processing sector, that’s where our concerns are,” Mr Mahar said.

National Farmers' Federation chief executive Tony Mahar wants the bill split in half. PICTURE: AAP/LUKAS COCH

The 249-page Secure Jobs, Better Pay bill is part of Labor’s pre-election commitment to improve years of stagnant wages and tackle rising household bills, which are tipped to increase almost 60 per cent over the next two years.

The legislation proposes to increase women’s pay, particularly those working in the low-paid sectors of aged care and health work.

The more contentious parts of the bill propose changes to the Fair Work Act to allow for employers from different businesses to collectively negotiate for better pay and conditions.

Senators Jacqui Lambie and David Pocock have also signalled they don’t want to be rushed to pass the legislation in the final two sitting weeks remaining this year and splitting the bill into two could allow the less divisive elements to be passed this year.

Mr Mahar said given agriculture was in the grips of a critical labour shortage, any legislative changes that could lead to more industrial relations disruptions along the food supply chain needed to be further examined.

“We don’t want to see measures that either encourage or go beyond the realms of reasonableness when we’re talking about a very fragile and efficient supply chain, so we’re just trying to get the balance right and for us to get that balance right we need more time to understand the provisions of the bill,” he said.