Prior to the Federal Election in 2013 the Coalition made a commitment to hold a review of the Fair Work Laws. The Productivity Commission will undertake this review and has now called for submissions from the public.

This independent review will assess the operation of the Fair Work framework and consider options for improvement before making recommendations to Government.

It is important that the Productivity Commission get a full understanding of how the laws work in practice, both good and bad, including practical examples from local employees, employers and community groups.

Submissions can be made on any aspect of the system and an online comments option is available, which can be used to quickly and simply submit views of the system.

Anyone in our local community with feedback, positive or negative, on how the workplace relations system is working should make a submission to ensure a wide ranging and robust report. I encourage both employers and employees to submit their thoughts on any adjustments that could improve the existing framework.

The review is due to report by the end of 2015 and will make recommendations to the Government. Any recommendations that the Government decides to adopt will then be taken to the 2016 Election to seek a mandate from the Australian people.

Submissions to the review can be made online at www.pc.gov.au or by post to the Productivity Commission, Locked Bag 2, Collins St East Melbourne VIC 8003.

 

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For too long domestic violence has existed within our society. The statistics are shocking and the repercussions on families, children and the community are heartbreaking.

Around 40 per cent of all police work in New South Wales is involved with domestic violence. The prevalence of this disease within all sectors of our community is appalling. It is unacceptable and it should always be seen as unacceptable.

I was very pleased when Rosie Batty was named 2015 Australian of the Year. Rosie is a person who has suffered through an awful situation and has made the choice to make a difference to others who are suffering domestic violence.

There has been excellent work done in this area by groups across the electorate. This includes the Moree Boomerangs Rugby League Football Club whose players have all committed and signed a contract not to be involved with domestic violence. There is, however, still more work to do to stamp out domestic violence which often occurs behind closed doors.

The Abbott/Truss Government is committed to addressing this issue and will introduce a national Domestic Violence Order scheme to ensure that we have uniform standards for dealing with perpetrators of domestic violence.