Review of the operation of the Fair Work Amendment (Supporting Australia’s Jobs and Economic Recovery) Act 2021 (Cth)

This contribution is being made by The National Foundation for Australian Women (NFAW).

NFAW is dedicated to promoting and protecting the interests of Australian women, including intellectual, cultural, political, social, economic, legal, industrial and domestic spheres, and ensuring that the aims and ideals of the women’s movement and its collective wisdom are handed on to new generations of women. NFAW is a feminist organisation, independent of party politics and working in partnership with other women’s organisations.

NFAW is grateful for the invitation to contribute to the review of the operation of the Fair Work Amendment (Supporting Australia’s Jobs and Economic Recovery) Act 2021(Cth) (the FW SAJER Act). We note, however, that 12 months is a short time in which to establish reliable impact data, especially when employment behaviour during that period has also been affected by the national pandemic response.

We understand that the review will take in previous submissions that we have made to inquiries into the FW SAJER Bill and its predecessors. We also understand that, consistent with s. 4 of the FW SAJER Act, the review will address whether the operation of the relevant provisions is appropriate and effective in the current employment and economic conditions; whether the act has had any unintended consequences; and whether amendments are necessary to improve its operation and remove any unintended consequences.

In the analysis that follows, we assume the review team’s familiarity with individual provisions of the Act and focus on the issue of outcomes.

 

 

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