Overview
The Fair Work Act 2009 and the Workplace Relations Amendment (Transition to Forward with Fairness) Act 2008 gave effect to the Government’s commitment to restore fairness to the Australian workplace relations system.
Due to the scale of these reforms, the Government made a commitment in the Explanatory Memorandum to the Fair Work Bill 2008 to review the operation of the legislation two years after its full commencement (that is, 1 January 2012).
On 20 December 2011, the Hon Bill Shorten MP, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations announced further detail of the review, including terms of reference.
The review is being conducted by Reserve Bank Board Member Dr John Edwards, former Federal Court Judge, the Honourable Michael Moore and noted legal and workplace relations academic Professor Emeritus Ron McCallum AO.
The review will culminate in a comprehensive evidence based report which will draw conclusions about whether the legislation is meeting its objectives. The report will also include recommendations for any changes arising out of the review
The review is to report to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations by 31 May 2012.
See the Minister's media release - Fair Work Act Review 20 December 2011.
See the Minister's transcript - Press Conference to announce review of the Fair Work Act, Melbourne 20 December 2011.
Public submission process closed
On 18 January 2012, the Fair Work Act Review Panel released a background paper and called for submissions to be made in response.
Over 200 initial submissions were made to the review and over 30 supplementary submissions were received. Public submissions can be viewed on the submissions page and the supplementary submissions page. Please note that where a party making a submission has requested that it remain confidential, it will not be found on the website.
The Panel is also conducting a series of meetings and roundtable discussions with key stakeholders.