Yesterday the State Government passed the Industrial Relations Legislation Amendment Bill 2020 in the Legislative Assembly, despite the opposition of every Liberal and National member.
The Bill proposes to bolster employment protections for vulnerable employees in the State industrial relations system.
Currently, various categories of employees are excluded from minimum wages and other employment protections, including employees engaged in domestic service in a private home.
These exclusions have been identified by the Commonwealth Government as a barrier to Australia ratifying the International Labour Organization Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930, which aims to support the global fight against modern slavery.
Australia is prevented from joining 45 other countries in ratifying the Protocol because of Western Australia's exclusions.
As stated by Industrial Relations Minister Bill Johnston:
"The WA Liberals and Nationals should hang their heads in shame. It is astounding they voted against a Bill which would ensure Australia's compliance with the international anti-slavery protocol.
"WA's industrial laws are the only ones in the country that exclude some employees from their coverage, including those engaged in domestic service in a private home.
"It is naive to think that modern slavery is not occurring in Australia in private homes.
"The Fair Work Ombudsman is currently taking proceedings against a high profile Sydney businessperson for allegedly paying his nanny $2 per hour for working between 88 and 106 hours per week. Under WA industrial laws, the nanny would have no employment protections and could be freely exploited.
"The Federal Government has repeatedly asked the State Government to fix our industrial laws to achieve compliance with the anti-slavery protocol. Now we have a situation where WA Liberals and Nationals are standing in the way of the Morrison Government's wishes.
"It is also astounding that WA Liberals and Nationals think WA local governments should be run by Canberra.
"If the Commonwealth can use its powers to legislate for the employment affairs of WA local governments, then it can legislate for any aspect of local government.
"I'm confident that the vast majority of Western Australian ratepayers would oppose a federal takeover of local government.
"Maybe the WA Liberals and Nationals should talk to ordinary Western Australians to see whether they support modern slavery or Canberra running WA local governments.
"This is a test of leadership for Liza Harvey: will she stand with the most vulnerable in our community or will she ignore them?"
