The Federal Government's move towards a new industrial landscape is one step closer, with a new report outlining a changed workplace relations system.
The New South Wales Government commissioned constitutional lawyer Professor George Williams to devise a replacement for the current dual state and federal industrial relations system.
In his report, Professor Williams has suggested a single federal law covering the core industrial relations areas, with concurrent state laws on excluded areas.
He has also recommended a single state regulator oversee the area.
Speaking on ABC Radio's AM program, Professor Williams said the time was right for a new national industrial relations system.
"Essentially my idea is that it's beyond time that Australia moved to a single, national system of industrial relations," he said.
"We do need national standards to cover the very basic issues of employment.
"But equally what my report recognises, we need to maintain a role for the states and the territories and the enforcement of those laws.
"In a sense, that national standards combined with local knowledge to produce the most efficient and effective industrial relations system for Australia's future."
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has reiterated his commitment to change, telling the Nine Network that the compliance burden on small business of dealing with differing state and federal systems is too great
"That's why we, in partnership with the states and territories will be moving towards a uniform national system," he said.
He says good progress has been made in pursuit of that goal.
Federal Workplace Relations Minister Julia Gillard says a national industrial relations system would eliminate confusion for small and medium sized businesses and make life simpler for business owners.
"If you are developing a small business you're quite likely to be bound by state industrial relations laws," she said.
"Then as you get bigger you might incorporate a company, then you become bound by federal industrial relations laws.
"Now often people on that journey of building a business don't even realise that they've gone over the dividing line."
Ms Gillard says there are a number of alternatives to achieve a uniform industrial relations system.
"Federal Labor committed to creating a national industrial relations system for the private sector last April," she said.
"That's our objective. It would be better for business. The Williams report points to one way to achieve that objective, but of course there are a range of alternatives."
Opposition workplace relations spokeswoman Julie Bishop says she would welcome a national system, but doubts that Ms Gillard can pull it off.
"Kevin Rudd has promised a truly national workplace relations system," she said.
"The only way Julia Gillard can deliver on that promise is for her to convince the state Labor governments to refer their industrial relations powers to the Federal Government.
"Any other compromise will fail to deliver on Kevin Rudd's promise."
Source: By Australian Broadcasting Corporation
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