Industrial Relations Act 2016
An Act relating to industrial relations in Queensland
Chapter 1 Preliminary
Part 1 Introduction
1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the Industrial Relations Act 2016.
2 Commencement
(1)Chapter 19, part 8, other than the following provisions, commences on assent—(a)sections 1118 to 1124;(b)sections 1126 to 1128;(c)section 1151;(d)section 1152, to the extent it inserts new section 289.(2)The remaining provisions of this Act commence on a day to be fixed by proclamation.
3 Main purpose of Act
The main purpose of this Act is to provide for a framework for cooperative industrial relations that—(a)is fair and balanced; and(b)supports the delivery of high quality services, economic prosperity and social justice for Queenslanders.
4 How main purpose is primarily achieved
The main purpose of this Act is to be achieved primarily by—(a)supporting a productive, competitive and inclusive economy, with strong economic growth, high employment, employment security, improved living standards and low inflation; and(b)promoting high-performing, apolitical State government and local government sectors that are responsive to democratically-decided priorities and focused on the delivery of public services in a professional and non-partisan way; and(c)promoting and facilitating security in employment and consultation about employment matters, technological change and organisational change; and(d)providing for a fair and equitable framework of employment standards, awards, determinations, orders and agreements; and(e)promoting productive and cooperative workplace relations including by recognising mutual obligations of trust and confidence in the employment relationship; and(f)providing for a guaranteed safety net of fair, relevant and enforceable minimum employment conditions through the Queensland Employment Standards; and(g)ensuring wages and employment conditions provide fair standards in relation to living standards prevailing in the community; and(h)promoting collective bargaining, including by—(i)providing for good faith bargaining; and(ii)establishing the primacy of collective agreements over individual agreements; and(i)preventing and eliminating sexual harassment, sex or gender-based harassment, discrimination, bullying and other unfair treatment in employment; and(j)ensuring equal remuneration for work of equal or comparable value; and(k)promoting diversity and inclusion in the workforce, including by providing a right for employees to request flexible working arrangements to help balance their work and family responsibilities; and(l)supporting employees experiencing domestic and family violence by conferring leave entitlements and protection from discrimination; and(m)encouraging fairness and representation at work, and the prevention of discrimination, by recognising the right to freedom of association, the right to organise and the right to be represented; and(n)encouraging representation of employees and employers by organisations that are registered under this Act; and(o)being responsive to emerging labour market trends and work patterns; and(p)providing for effective, responsive and accessible mechanisms to support negotiations and resolve industrial disputes; and(q)establishing an independent court and tribunal to facilitate fair, balanced and productive industrial relations; and(r)assisting in giving effect to Australia’s international obligations…