Liberals Must Tear Up Pay Freeze Bill – Not Industrial Commission

The Tasmanian Industrial Commission President, Mr Tim Abey, has confirmed fears that the Liberal’s so-called wage freeze Bill will in fact gut the independent Commission, Greens Leader Kim Booth MP said today.

“The Greens have been warning ever since this travesty of a Bill appeared, that it would in effect sideline the independence of the Tasmanian Industrial Commission, and now the Commission’s President has also corroborated that assessment before Legislative Council hearings today,” Mr Booth said.

“This nasty Bill is a case study of how to have an Industrial Commission when you don’t want an Industrial Commission.”

“In the Liberals’ case, you legislate to override the Commission’s independence, and by doing so effectively gag the Commission and bind it’s hands.”

“Ironically it was Sir Max Bingham QC, the then-Liberal Deputy Premier who introduced the Industrial Relations Act 1984 which established the current Tasmanian Industrial Commission, in recognition that an independent body was fundamental and necessary for both employers and employees.”

“The Hodgman regime is seeking to override our independent industrial commission under the guise of a public sector pay freeze.”

“It is now time the Liberals front up, admit they got it wrong and tear up this Bill instead of tearing up the state’s industrial system, and our public sector workers’ rights and conditions,” Mr Booth said.
Kim Booth MP | Greens Leader