Concerns have been raised about the government’s proposed amendments to workplace laws, with parliamentarians worried the changes are too rushed.
Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke is pushing to have businesses legally required to reach an agreement with employees who request flexible work hours and multi-employer bargaining.
The minister wants the legislation passed by the end of the year.
But independent senator David Pocock has expressed concerns over drafting errors in the bill.
The key senator says one such error is whether a majority of workers per employer or a majority across workers of all employers involved in multi-employer bargaining is needed.
Business groups are worried about an increase in strikes and job losses, and the opposition has branded the bill “ ”possibly the worst legislation this country will ever see".
“Labor is rushing the sloppy bill through the parliament,” Liberal senator Michaelia Cash said.
“This is nothing more and nothing less than the Labor Party delivering to their union paymasters.”
Burke has committed to introducing amendments to the bill covering multi-employer bargaining.
But Senator Pocock is proposing to split the non-controversial elements of the bill and pass the first tranche before Christmas to allow more time for parliament to consider further changes.
The split would include making gender equity an objective of the Fair Work Act, establishing two new expert panels for the Fair Work Commission and banning pay secrecy clauses.
“It warrants more scrutiny,” Senator Pocock told reporters on Monday.
“There are parts of it that we’ve seen for the first time on Thursday.
“To look through hundreds of pages and then to get out and consult with my community, I don’t think three weeks is enough.”
Senator Pocock wants to look at the detail surrounding what the laws would mean for small businesses and get further information on the impact of multi-employer bargaining.
“That’s relatively new, and we want to look at the details,” he said.
But he hasn’t ruled out voting for the full tranche when it comes before the Senate this year, saying he'll look at every piece of legislation on its merits and consult widely.
The government needs the support of one crossbench member alongside the Greens to pass the bill in the Senate.
