The Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT) is pleased to announce that
it is the first Local Government Association in Australia to have proactively completed
the award modernisation process.

LGAT Policy Director, Dr Katrena Stephenson said LGAT has avoided the continuing
complexity of having separate, state-based awards and has been working in
partnership with Page Seager as part of its commitment to reducing complexity and,
where appropriate, ensuring consistency with industrial relations for all Tasmanian
councils.

“On 15 September, a Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission (FWC) terminated the
Municipal Managers (Tasmania) Award 2003. The effect of this decision is that all
general managers are no longer covered by a Tasmanian specific award,” Dr
Stephenson said.

“This was already the case for general managers of Hobart City Council, Launceston
City Council, Glenorchy City Council and Clarence City Council following LGAT’s
earlier applications to the FWC.”

“Because of the particular requirements of the Fair Work Act, the Full Bench varied
the Local Government Industry Award 2010 (Modern Award) by inserting a
classification for general managers who were covered by the Municipal Managers
Award, covering hours of work and minimum annual salaries.”

“This schedule will cease to operate on 31 December 2014 and from 1 January 2015,
all general managers will be award free,” she said.

In announcing its decision, the Full Bench stated, “We are satisfied that all of the
requirements for terminating the Municipal Managers Award are satisfied. The
Award applies to a small number of employees and there is no demonstrable
purpose in allowing it to continue. Terminating the Award will reduce the complexity
of the award system. The termination will reduce the regulatory burden on
employers and not cause any detriment to employees covered by the Award.”

Dr Stephenson said this is consistent with the Modern Award objective that CEOs are
not covered by the Modern Award. “All other council employees in Tasmania are
now covered by the Modern Award.”
LGAT Policy Director, Dr Katrena Stephenson