IR Special-Closing the Loopholes Legislation passes in the Senate

This afternoon (8/2/24) the Senate passed the Closing Loopholes No 2 legislation after accepting amendments advanced by the Albanese Government, the Greens and crossbench senators.

We will be issuing more detailed information about the legislation, however, the follwoing infomration is provided to advise some of the detail in the legislation.

Information from Workplace Express 8/2/24

The Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes No. 2) Bill passed by 32 votes to 29, with Independent senators David Pocock and Lidia Thorpe siding with Labor and the Greens.

The Senate passed an amendment put forward by Greens Senator Barbara Pocock to introduce a right for workers to disconnect out of working hours, which had been agreed with the Government.

It also passed a series of amendments jointly put by senators David Pocock and Jacqui Lambie.

An amendment put solely by Senator Lambie that passed requires that owner-drivers be represented on an advisory body to the FWC's considerations of road transport.

Another amendment moved by Senator Lambie that sought an exemption from the rules covering union amalgamations and demergers to allow the CFMEU's manufacturing division to split from the CFMEU failed to win support.

The legislation passed by the Senate includes a Greens amendment that passed in the House of Representatives last year, providing that the terms of intractable bargaining determinations "must be not less favourable" to each employee.

Amendments sought by the Opposition, Pauline Hanson's One Nation and Independent Senator David Van failed to get up.

Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes No. 2) Bill 2023 (as divided by the Senate in December 2023)

Home page - Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes No. 2) Bill 2023

If you have any questions, please contact Gary on 0418 736 802 or Jim on 0408 411 231.