The release of the Federal Government’s plan to overhaul Australia’s industrial relations laws signals the start of a new era in which unions will be handed greater control of Australian workplaces.

The State's peak business organisation, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia, is concerned the proposed changes will disadvantage many small, medium and large businesses across Western Australia to the benefit of unions.

It will take some time to examine the full detail of the 600 page Fair Work Bill, which is one of the most significant changes to the Nation’s industrial relations system in 15 years.

WA's economy has benefited from a flexible industrial relations system, giving employers and employees the choice to collectively bargain or negotiate individual agreements.

WA business and industry, which are a key driver of the State's and the Nation’s economic growth, must be helped, not handicapped, to grow and create more jobs. Our world class export industries must also be supported to compete internationally.

CCI welcomes moves by the Federal Government to make it easier for employers to read and understand the legislation.

However, an initial assessment of the bill reveals that employers will be forced into collective bargaining whether they want to or not, unions will be handed greater influence over agreement making and workplace issues, and the likelihood of disruptive and costly industrial action will increase with the range of workplace issues open to negotiation extended.

Unions, which represent 16 per cent of the WA workforce, will also be invited to the negotiating table even if only one worker is a member. They will also be given greater access to worksites and the employment records of workers.

In all, the changes are likely to hand unions a greater foothold in all Australian workplaces.

CCI looks forward to working with the Federal Government to ensure that WA business and industry have the workplace flexibility to be able to respond to the current economic challenges.

The need for a modern and flexible industrial relations system has never been greater as the global community looks to business and industry to drive economic growth, create more jobs and help insulate the local economy from the current global economic uncertainty.

Statement by CCI Director, Workplace Relations Policy, Marcia Kuhne