Major Changes In Arbitration System

Northern Advocate, 16 August 1947, Page 4

Major Changes In Arbitration System

Australia

(11.30 a.m.) CANBERRA. This Day. The Federal Cabinet has appointed 16 conciliation commissioners to take over powers previously vested in the Arbitration Court for the settlement of Industrial disputes. Seven of the present commissioners were reappointed and nine new men were named. x Cabinet’s decision is understood to have been unanimous so that balloting among the 400 applicants was not necessary.

Proclamation of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act passed last session is expected to follow immediately.

This will bring into operation major changes in Australia’s arbitration system

The commissioners will nave full powers except over hours of worx, the basic wage, annual leave, and minimum female wages in industry, which are reserved to the Arbitratioin Court. The conciliation commissioners, who will receive £ISOO a year, plus a travelling allowance,will hold office until the age of 65, but in special rv.rcumstances their appointment may bo extended to 67 years.

According to the Conciliation onci Arbitration Act, a commissioner may be assigned by the Chief Judge of the Federal Arbitration Court to a particular industry or group of industries and that commissioner shall, so far as is practicable, deal with industrial disputes relating to that industry or tW group of industries. Similarly, the Chief Juago may finsign a commissiqner to a narticular in dustrial dispute.' A commissioner has power to summon anyone to attend a conference presided over by himself or any other person as he may direct. An award ox* order of the Conciliation Commissioner shall not ’oe challenged, appealed against, reviewed, or subject to prohibition, says the act.