Sexual Harassment Discussion Paper
This discussion paper arises out of the #MeToo movement, which has created significant momentum for change to prevent sexual harassment and provide avenues for justice. In the context of significant media attention and a social media storm there was leadership from law firm Maurice Blackburn, which developed several legislative asks to make it easier for women to come forward and seek justice if they have experienced workplace sexual harassment. Now Australia was formed in March 2018 to help guide those currently experiencing sexual harassment or those with historical experiences of sexual harassment to the appropriate legal and psychological support. In May 2018 Unions NSW began to organise a roundtable discussion at NSW Parliament to discuss possible options for reform. Then in July 2018 the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) announced a national inquiry into sexual harassment.
Privatisation of State Assets – Submission to Senate Inquiry
The Federal Government’s Asset Recycling Initiative seeks to incentivise State Governments to privatise assets. The initiative emphasises the short term profits of privatisation, but overlooks the broader policy implications and long term economic issues.
Electricity Privatisation – Submission to Senate Inquiry
Despite claims about the economic advantages of privatisation made by the NSW Liberal Government, the privatisation agenda of the last three decades has resulted in cuts
to public services, finalisation of few large scale infrastructure projects and an
ongoing budget deficit.
Paid Parental Leave, Submission to Senate Inquiry
Unions NSW is vocal in the campaign for universal paid parental leave (PPL) that is
guaranteed through government legislation and paid at wage replacement rates for 6 months. Access to PPL provides the best outcomes for new parents and babies while also encouraging women’s increased participation in the workforce.
NSW Budget Briefing 2018
The NSW Liberal/National Government delivered a classic ‘election budget’ with short-term spending announcements and limited commitments to recurring expenditure for services and staffing.
Temporary Work Visas – Submission to Senate Inquiry
NSW believes temporary work visas should be built around a framework that provides workers with a timely and accessible mechanism to lodge claims against exploitative employers and are paid on par with local workers.
Unpaid Work Placements – Submission to NSW Inquiry
Unpaid work such as internships, need effective regulation and enforcement to ensure they promote learning and development opportunities. Unions NSW believes all forms of unpaid work should be covered by a national code of practice, enforceable through the Fair Work Commission.
Future of work and workers – Submission to Senate Inquiry
The pace and scale of changes in work are impossible to accurately predict. It is the role of Government to ensure we enter the uncertainty of the future well prepared; to ensure the benefits of technological advancement can be shared fairly and safeguards are put in place to ensure technology isn’t used as a tool to undermine pay and working conditions.
Avoidance of the Fair Work Act – Submission to Senate Inquiry
The nature of work, technology and trading hours have changed significantly since our industrial relations framework was established. However, there are ample provisions for employers to accommodate the needs of the ‘modern workforce’ built into the Fair Work Act. Deliberate attempts by employers to avoid the Fair Work Act to meet the needs of their business and promote ‘efficiency’ are lazy and often driven by greed and profit.
Airtasker report
A case study into the employment practices and employment conditions available to workers who use the online platform Airtasker.