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Pocock says he ‘struck a wide-ranging’ IR agreement

Senator David Pocock has released a statement following the announcement this morning that the federal government’s new IR bill will pass the Senate with his support.

Pocock says he has “struck a wide-ranging agreement with the Albanese government” to amend the legislation in a way that “doesn’t put small business at risk or leave the most vulnerable behind”.

His agreement also “includes a commitment from the government to establish, in legislation, an expert advisory committee, led by the treasurer and minister for social services, to review the adequacy of support payments annually ahead of each federal budget, and publish their recommendations”.

Pocock:

This is now a substantially different bill to the one introduced in the House of Representatives a month ago. It is better for business, better for workers and makes sure the most vulnerable in our community are no longer left behind.

I have worked with the government to push them as far as they would go, and then a step further to ensure they addressed key concerns raised with me.

This legislation introduces significant reforms to Australia’s industrial relations system that will benefit women and low-paid workers in particular.

There are now additional safeguards in place for business, especially small businesses, and some important new powers to better protect the low-paid and those reliant on government support.

In what I believe will be a game changer for people living below the poverty line in our country, the government will now also receive independent expert advice that is made publicly available before each federal budget looking at how the most vulnerable in our community are faring and what needs to change to ensure we don’t leave them behind.

Given the pace at which this legislation has moved, my concern has been to ensure stakeholders are heard and any issues addressed. Along with my team we have worked incredibly hard to hear from those who will be affected by it and balance the concerns to help secure a better bill.

I went into this seeking to get the best policy outcome, balancing the urgent need for workers to get a pay rise, with legislation that will work in practice by delivering pay rises for those that need it while not placing unreasonable burdens on small businesses.

I believe we have achieved the right balance, significantly improving the legislation with the added commitment that will help stop governments leaving our most vulnerable behind.

I acknowledge the tough but fair negotiations with the government that have got us to this point.

I thank the prime minister and Minister Burke for their constructive engagement and the many, many workers and businesses, along with their representatives, who have come to me over the past month.

I also pay tribute to the efforts and advocacy of members in the lower house as well as community advocates who have championed many of these reforms for years.