APPOINTMENTS TO THE FAIR WORK COMMISSION

The Albanese Labor Government is taking the next step towards restoring balance to the Fair Work Commission.

The Liberals and Nationals spent a decade stacking the Commission with appointees from employer backgrounds in a bid to silence workers.

Of the 27 permanent appointments the Coalition made to the Commission, 26 came from an employer background.

In Opposition Labor repeatedly promised to rebalance the Commission so workers have just as much of a voice as employers.

For the Commission to work as intended it needs to be properly balanced.

To that end I am announcing eight new appointments to the Commission today.

They bring extensive experience advocating for workers and I am confident they will work with dedication and diligence in their new roles.

Mr Tony Slevin has been appointed as a Deputy President of the Commission, commencing on 5 June 2023.

Mr Scott Connolly (15 May), Mr Stephen Crawford (22 May), Mr Mark Perica AM (22 May), Ms Pearl Lim (24 May), Ms Susie Allison (10 July), Ms Oanh Thi Tran (31 July) and Ms Emma Thornton (18 September) have been appointed as Commissioners.

These appointments were funded in the October 2022 Budget. The appointees will assist the Fair Work Commission perform functions arising from the passage of the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022.

These functions include new expert panels in gender pay equity and the care and community sector, new powers to deal with sexual harassment in the workplace and an expanded role in providing support for workers and business in enterprise bargaining.

This is the second round of appointments the Government has made to the Commission. But even with these appointments we are still short of balance. There is more work to do to correct the Coalition's shameless stack.

I look forward to the day when I can return to appointing people from employee and employer backgrounds in equal numbers. But there is an immediate imperative to restore the balance.

The Commission’s work is more important than ever as the Labor Government progresses ambitious workplace relations reforms to lift wages, improve job security and close loopholes undermining pay and conditions.

FRIDAY, 12 MAY 2023

ENDS