To the Honourable President and Members of the Senate assembled in Parliament:

This petition of certain citizens of Australia draws to the attention of the Senate the fact that Australian employees will be worse off as a result of the Howard Government’s proposed changes to the industrial relations system.

The petitioners call on the Senate to:

(1)   Guarantee that no employee will be worse off under proposed changes to the industrial relations system.

(2)   Allow the minimum wage to continue to be set annually by the independent umpire, the Australian Industrial Relations Commission.

(3)   Guarantee that unfair dismissal law changes will not enable employers to unfairly sack employees.

(4)   Adopt Labor’s system based on minimum standards, wages and conditions; safety nets; an independent umpire; and the right to associate and to collectively bargain.