Jacqui Lambie flags ‘problems’ with Albanese Government’s IR bill, slamming Labor’s rush in Parliament

Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie has called for the Albanese Government to “get off its rear” and split the controversial Industrial relations (IR) bill instead of rushing to pass it through the Senate in its current form.

Labor has offered up amendments to the vehemently opposed multi-employer bargaining portion of the reform but refuses to delay passing the bill as it aims to finish negotiations by the Christmas break.

Independent Senators – whose support is needed to pass the changes – have argued the bill be split so that the more controversial elements can be discussed further when Parliament resumes in the new year.

Ms Lambie told Sky News Australia she was doing her “due diligence” in investigating the very real impact of the bill on small businesses which are concerned they don’t know enough about the changes.

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“Get off your rear end and go speak to your small businesses and find out how many of them have no idea,” she said on Monday morning.

“Don’t be so ignorant about the fact that there is a problem with this bill because there is.

“The consequences this could have on small and big businesses into the future is massive. Not to mention productivity in this country.”

Labor argues the bill will drive up wages – a key election promise – but those disputing the legislation believe it will open the door to more strikes and industrial actions, disrupting supply chains.

The Albanese Government has come under fire from the Coalition for attempting to rush the legislation through Parliament instead of allowing it to be debated after it was passed in the House of Representatives 80 votes to 56.

However, Financial Services Minister  and Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones defended the reforms as “modest” and said the claims around increased strikes were “hogwash”.

“The reforms when they’re all boiled down are pretty modest,” he told Sky News Australia.

“It just doesn’t stack up… the organisations that are making the most noise I’ve seen the miners’ groups out there making a fair bit of noise and they’re already covered by collective bargaining arrangements.

“Let’s have a genuine debate about this and not throw up a whole heap of hogwash.”

Mr Jones said the next two weeks of Parliament was sufficient time to make any adjustments to the legislation so that the “lowest paid Australians” can receive the pay rise they need.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stood by his government’s legislation and said it was no surprise to see the Coalition oppose reforms that would improve workers’ conditions.

“Those who have an ingrained ideological objection to workers being paid fairly for their contribution…who somehow believe that the only way to grow the economy is to limit opportunity and diminish security,” he said.

“They say it every time, and they are wrong every time. And we will push ahead like we do, every time.”

However, Ms Lambie maintained that multiple businesses would be impacted and that the “problems” with the bill could not be ironed out by Christmas.

“There is about 85 per cent of that bill that is good to go. Put it through. Split it,” she said.

“There are problems with some of this bill and they need to be looked at and I just dont think we’re going to fix it in the next eight or nine days.”