AREEA’s submission to the WA Industrial Relations System review has spelt out that there is no demonstrated need to expand the current definition of ‘employee’.

The Western Australian State Government commissioned a Review into the WA Industrial Relations System in September 2017.

The terms of reference can be found here.

The Review is being conducted by Mark Ritter SC and Steve Price, the State Member for Forrestfield and formerly the State Secretary of the WA branch of the Australian Workers Union.

WA is in the unique situation among the Australian States in that it has not referred its industrial relations powers regarding private sector employees to the Commonwealth Government.

As such the WA Industrial Relations Commission retains jurisdiction over the employees of private sector employers in WA who are not constitutional corporations or trading entities.

While AREEA’s members are covered by the Federal industrial relations framework, we expressed the view that it would produce a better and simpler industrial framework if all WA private sector employers were in the Federal Industrial relations system.

AREEA will keep members updated on the progress of the Review.

AREEA members seeking more information on the Review into the WA Industrial Relations System should contact Principal Workplace Relations Consultant Peter Cooke in the AREEA Perth office,
08 6381 0378 | [email protected].