Industrial relations Howard Government

kevin andrews minister employment , workplace relations during introduction , implementation of workchoices

the government s senate majority allowed howard , costello implement final elements of industrial relations policies envisaged under workplace relations , other legislation amendment act 1997. workchoices policy sought increase deregulation of australian employment market , replaced former commonwealth employment service competitive market of private employment service businesses.

in 2005, howard announced significant changes industrial relations laws. government ministers, including howard, felt coalition s new senate majority should used implement potentially unpopular legislation. time first hinted at, changes became subject of national publicity campaign government , pronounced opposition community groups, union movement , state labor governments.

workchoices became focus of intense campaign of opposition trade union movement , australian labor party. on 15 november 2005, public rallies held protest against industrial relations reforms. estimated 100,000–175,000 people attended rallies in melbourne , around 300 other meetings , rallies, held concurrently around country, attended. these meetings organised unions , community organisations of labor , greens. due coalition s slim majority in senate, passage of proposed laws put in doubt following criticisms queensland national party senator barnaby joyce, although later voted in support of legislation. industrial relations laws passed without substantial change.

workchoices continued unpopular after came effect on 27 march 2006. opinion polls found 63 percent of voters opposed workchoices in 2006 , 65 percent in 2007, , policy reducing support coalition. government responded continuing union campaign against reforms conducting large scale information campaign of own. on 4 may 2007 howard announced reforms workchoices included new fairness test protect workers paid less $75,000 year. despite these responses, labor party s polling in 2007 found opposition workchoices 1 of 3 biggest vote drivers @ election.