Media Release

Dear Editor

Last week, the ALP and LNP joined forces with the Greens to vote down a KAP amendment to laws being put to Parliament, which would have guaranteed Aussie workers the right to access arbitration in workplace disputes with their employers.

Our amendment to the Government’s Fair Work Amendment Bill 2013 provided increased protections for both employers and employees, ensuring both sides get a fair go in the workplace.

This demonstrates that KAP is the only political party that believes in access to arbitration.

For over 110 years, our industrial system gave workers the right to arbitration in situations, for instance, where workers couldn’t get bosses to agree to a cost of living pay rise, or employers couldn’t get a pay reduction when their incomes were crashed by a slump (ie metal prices).

Both employees and employers could go to an arbitration commission, which decided whether you got a pay rise or reduction - and the judge’s decision was final.

Our legislation simply changes Australia back to the 'right of approach' agreed to by successive Liberal and Labor Governments.

The Liberal (Howard) Government's abolition of the arbitration commission made the workplace a jungle, while the Labor (Gillard) Government's current industrial system is both a toothless tiger and a waste of money.

The ALP may have brought the rules back - but they did not bring back the referee. Many areas of dispute are not for resolution under the Gillard Government's Fair Work Commission, which can order workers to cease or delay striking, but that is the only substantial power it has.

Not only has this government failed to return our rights to collectively bargain, they are now forcing us to play football without a referee. So God help all the little blokes.

The LNP has learned nothing while the ALP has refused point blank our right of access to arbitration - and they wonder why the average worker is running away from them.

Former Victorian union heavyweight and KAP's industrial relations policy consultant, Dean Mighell, has noted that our amendments to these laws would have vastly improved protection for the most vulnerable of Australian workers; as well as providing for a fair, just and fast mechanism for resolving industrial matters.

Let the major parties be warned: their decisions on industrial relations matters is a critical issue for Australian workers, and could make or break an election.

Aussie workers have not forgotten that the LNP last lost government because they took away our right to a fair go. Who’s to say that won’t happen again?

Sincerely yours,

Hob Bob Katter MP
KAP Federal Leader and Member for Kennedy