Workplace Industrial Relations Reform and Legislative Change: Hancock, Hanger, Niland & The Business Council of Australia

Abstract

The 1980s have witnessed a significant Australian debate about the reform of industrial relations, with a particular focus on the need for change at the workplace. Calls for reform are often predicated on the assumption that significant shifts in industrial relations practices can only be achieved by equally significant changes to the legislative framework governing the conduct of labour relations. This paper critically assesses the workplace reform agenda contained in the major inquiries and reports since 1983. These reports are contrasted in terms of their major recommendations and philosophy. The paper concludes that radical legislative change is unnecessary and may, indeed, prove to be counterproductive to the process of industrial relations reform.