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Significant parts of Closing Loopholes Bill passes

In a major win for workers, significant parts of the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Bill 2023 have passed thanks to a deal with the Greens and crossbench Senators David Pocock, Jacquie Lambie and Lidia Thorpe.   

Key parts of the Bill that passed include: 

  • Closing the labour hire loophole – which will mean better pay for labour hire workers who are brought in by companies like BHP and Qantas, as well as companies across the finance sector to drive down wages in their industries. 
  • Criminalising wage theft – for too long workers have had wages stolen from them with little recourse. This Bill will increase the civil penalties for wage theft and criminalise intentional wage theft. Superannuation theft will also be included in this legislation. 
  • Stronger rights for workplace delegates. 
  • Introduce better support for first responders diagnosed with PTSD. 
  • Strengthen protections against discrimination for employees subjected to family and domestic violence. 
  • Include silica-related diseases and safety within the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency 
  • Criminalise industrial manslaughter. 

This is a welcome Christmas present for working people that will deliver safer workplaces, better rights for workers and better wages during a cost-of-living crisis.  

The Government has also committed to passing the rest of the Bill early next year, and unions will continue to keep the pressure on to ensure that happens.

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Authorised by Julia Angrisano, Finance Sector Union of Australia, Level 13, 380 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000.
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