Senator Eric Abetz

As incoming workplace relations Minister Bill Shorten is facing his first test in the new role he has passed the parcel onto his predecessor, despite doing back to back media interviews at the drop of a hat over recent days talking about workplace relations matters and all throughout the Qantas dispute.

POAGS a supplier of stevedoring logistics and port management services, has locked out 320 workers at Fremantle and Bunbury in Western Australia and Port Kembla in NSW after claiming bans imposed by the Maritime Union of Australia had rendered parts of its business unviable.

“Mr Shorten hasn’t even begun his new job and he’s already mismanaging his portfolio,” Senator Abetz said today.

“Yesterday he did back to back media interviews and throughout the Qantas dispute he held doorstops at Fair Work Australia, but today – on the day he will be sworn in as the Minister – apparently this matter isn’t his problem.”

Mr Shorten refused to comment last night, claiming it was inappropriate for him to talk about the dispute as Chris Evans remained Workplace Relations Minister until a swearing –in ceremony of new ministers today. (Australian 14/12/2011)

“Mr Shorten can’t pussy foot around trying not to offend his union boss mates – he must be prepared to step up to the plate and disarm this ticking time bomb,” Senator Abetz said.

“If Mr Shorten were serious, not only would he ensure that this dispute was resolved urgently, he would also:

• Ensure the Qantas dispute is resolved.
  Hint – Name calling employers for using the provisions of the Fair Work Act Labor legislated won’t help.

• Ensure an ex-trade union boss is not appointed to the Presidency of Fair Work Australia.
  Hint – An independent person who commands the respect of all and has an eye to the national interest.

• Ensure a thorough robust review of the Fair Work Act is undertaken.
  Hint – The Regulatory impact Statement that was initially and deliberately avoided needs to be undertaken urgently. A whitewash will not serve the National interest. The Productivity Commission is best placed.

• Ensure that Fair Work Australia’s continual and inexplicable delays into Craig Thompson are overcome.
  Hint – Two years plus of investigation with no outcome is unacceptable.

• Ensure the so-called “harmonised” occupational Health and Safety regime is actually harmonised.
  Hint – With only one State passing complementary legislation ready for the start up date of 1/1/12 is not harmonisation.

• Ensure there is an end to the confusion that is called “Award Modernisation”.
  Hint – When Fair Work Australia rules that the Fair Work Ombudsman gets things wrong what hope does the small businessman have of getting it right?

• Ensure that the Australian Building and Construction Commission is retained in full
  Hint – The National interest not vested interest should prevail.  And 

• Ensure that Chris Evans’s infamous regulation that almost shut down the Queensland community sector is resolved.
  Hint – Stop playing pass the parcel and get on with fixing the mess.