Senator Eric Abetz

The outrageous decision by Fair Work Australia to award a payout to a man convicted of sex offences, as reported in today’s media, is potentially one against which Minister Simon Crean and Labor should consider launching an appeal.

There is no common sense in this decision which sends the wrong message to small business owners.

This decision by Fair Work Deputy President Lea Drake implies that under Labor’s new rules small business owners will now be forced to pay a dismissal fee if faced with similar circumstances.

No doubt Nestle, the company involved in this case, will be able to absorb the costs ordered by Fair Work Australia; however this is no comfort to small business owners who would find it difficult to meet similar costs.

For all those concerned about this decision you should be comforted by the words of Julia Gillard who says ‘Fair Work Australia is working – as expected.’

Clearly this example highlights that Labor’s laws are simply out of touch with the real needs of small business and that newly appointed Minister Simon Crean has a very big task on his hands if he is to clean up the mess created by his predecessor Julia Gillard.