In recent weeks ARA has met with the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, the Honourable Joe Hockey, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and ALP spokesperson for industrial relations, Julia Gillard MP and Senator Steve Fielding from Family First to discuss industrial relations issues for retailers in the lead up to the federal election later this year.
Several members also attended the meeting with the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations enabling them to put their perspectives directly to the Minister. The ARA meeting with Julia Gillard MP, saw ARA seek clarification and raise a number of matters of genuine concern in the ALP industrial relations policy, Forward with Fairness including the ALP policy to abolish any form of statutory agreement making and reintroduce a system of unfair dismissal for all employers.
ARA will continue an ongoing dialogue with key decision makers in the lead up to the next election and encourages members to provide feedback to ARA as details of further ALP policy become clearer.
