Independent review of Secure Jobs, Better Pay Act commences

The Albanese Government is fulfilling its commitment to undertake an independent review of its workplace relations reforms, with Emeritus Professor Mark Bray and Professor Alison Preston tasked with the review into the Government’s Secure Jobs, Better Pay Act.

The Act was specifically designed to promote job security, help close the gender pay gap, modernise the workplace bargaining system and get wages moving.

Evidence to date indicates the laws are achieving these goals, with more jobs being created, annual real wages growing above inflation, the gender pay gap reaching record lows, more employers and workers reaching enterprise agreements and industrial action falling.

The Secure Jobs, Better Pay Act was in the first tranche of a series of the Government’s workplace relations reforms. Each of the Secure Jobs, Closing Loopholes and Closing Loopholes 2 laws that have been passed by the Albanese Government this parliamentary term contain a commitment to start a review within two years.

This review is an opportunity to consider the impact of these important reforms, and will involve extensive stakeholder engagement.
 
Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Murray Watt encouraged all interested stakeholders to share their experiences.

“The Albanese Government has made significant changes to support workplaces with safe, secure employment opportunities that boost wages and production,” Minister Watt said.   

“Our emphasis on cooperation rather than conflict is delivering very pleasing results, with wages rising, the gender pay gap at its lowest level ever and the highest number of employees covered by newly-approved enterprise agreements in over a decade.

“I encourage interested parties to share their feedback and engage with the reviewers to provide their perspective on the impact of these significant reforms.”  

The review is due to report to Government in January 2025.

Information about the review, including the terms of reference can be found at: www.dewr.gov.au/workplace-relations-australia/review-secure-jobs-better-pay-act.

Queries about the review can be sent to SJBPReview@dewr.gov.au.

BIOGRAPHIES

Emeritus Professor Mark Bray served as the Foundation Chair in Employment Studies at the University of Newcastle from 1997 until early 2021. As well as his primary affiliation, he is an honorary professor at both RMIT University and University of Sydney.

Mark has taught Australian and comparative industrial relations, and human resource management and research methods. Since 2005 Mark has been a co-author of Employment Relations: Theory and Practice.

Mark’s current research interests as Emeritus focus on cooperation at work, especially the role of industrial tribunals in promoting workplace cooperation and performance, and the impact of collaborative employment relations on mental health. Other interests include the structures and processes of labour regulation, including labour law, collective bargaining and awards.

Professor Alison Preston is a Professor of Economics in the Business School at The University of Western Australia (UWA), a position she has held since 2013. Prior to that she was employed at Curtin University. She holds a PhD in labour economics and industrial relations. Alison’s research interests include wage determination and gendered aspects of labour markets, employment, and economic security.

Alison teaches in the areas of micro-economics and public policy.

During Alison’s professional career she has held many senior leadership roles including as Deputy Dean of the UWA Faculty of Business, Director of the Curtin Graduate School of Business and Deputy Chair of Curtin University’s Academic Board. Alison has also served on numerous advisory bodies including the Committee for the Economic Development of Australia (CEDA, WA Branch) and the WA Women’s Advisory Council and consulted for various organisations, including the Fair Work Commission and the Minerals Council of Australia.