Backdown on unionism ballots?

Press, 5 December 1979, Page 6

Backdown on unionism ballots?

Parliamentary reporter In a surprise move lat : last evening, the Government introduced legislation which indicates a change of mind on compulsory unionism ballots. The Industrial Relations Amendment Bill was introduced by the Minister of Labour (Mr Bolger) at 11.40 p.m. The bill had not been set down on the Order Paper, and its introduction caused comment from the Opposition benches. Linder the bill, which contains only three clauses, the Minister of Labour may withdraw at any stage any requirement to hold ballots on compulsory unionism. If passed, the bill will also allow him to withdraw notices to hold the ballots which have already been issued. The two other clauses of the bill affect statutory holidays and the power of unions to purchase land and property. The clause on statutory holidays means that the 11 holidays specified in the act will be paid holidays only if they fall on days on which the worker would normally work. This would exclude Sundays.

The Labour member for Roskill (Mr A. J. Faulkner) said the circumstances of the introduction of the bill suggested the Government did not intend that the public should be aware of its move.

“It is obvious they are moving back from the pigheaded attitude on ballots which they used to get them elected,” he said.