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Monday, 27 February 2012
Page: 978

Employment and Workplace Relations

(Question No. 1507)

Senator Abetz asked the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, upon notice, on 16 January 2012:

With reference to the review of the Fair Work Act 2009:

(1) How much is each member of the review panel being paid to participate.

(2) What secretariat support has been provided.

(3) What advice was sought from the Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR) prior to the announcement of the details of the review.

(4) Does the department consider the post-implementation review to be in conformity with the requirements of the OBPR.

(5) When were the: (a) draft terms of reference; and (b) shortlist of people or bodies under consideration to conduct the review, first sent to the Minister's office by the department.

(6) Was the Productivity Commission on the shortlist of people or bodies considered to conduct the review; if not, why not.

Senator Arbib: The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) Each Panel member of the Fair Work Act Review (Review) is being paid $550 per hour (including GST) for a maximum of eight hours a day. The appointments are part-time and Panel members will be remunerated for actual time worked, not for each day of the Review period.

(2) The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations is providing secretariat support for the Panel.

(3) The department sought advice from the Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR) regarding the requirements of a post-implementation review (PIR). The terms of reference for the Review were assessed by the OBPR as meeting those requirements.

(4) Yes, as the OBPR has advised the department that it considers the Review to be in conformity with its requirements for a PIR.

(5) Draft terms of reference and individuals who might be considered to conduct the Review were initially provided to the office of the former Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations on 19 October 2011.

(6) The department did not identify the Productivity Commission as a potential organisation to undertake the Review. This is because it was considered important that the person or persons undertaking the Review have a practical knowledge and appreciation of contemporary workplace relations issues and practices.