Prime Minister John Howard has flagged further IR reform, including a paring back of awards and a possible takeover of state powers to establish a national system.
Howard, speaking on the
Sunday program on the weekend, says a national IR regime is "one the things we'll be looking at".
"I favour a single system. I think there's a lot to be said for a single national system. [But] it will be resisted by state Labor governments ...," he says.
In addition, Howard says he's in favour of simplification of the award system.
"I think the awards - the awards could be simplified. They're still a little too prescriptive. I still favour the maintenance of the minimum - some minimum wage structure. I think that would be a step too far. But I think award simplification has a lot to commend it," he says.
Not surprisingly, the states are likely to resist any move to use the Commonwealth's "corporations powers" to override state IR laws, with Queensland IR Minister Tom Barton responding to the PM's comments with threats of a legal challenge.
What do you think? Do you favour a national IR system? Email your views to QBR editor Graham Gardiner at ggardiner@pubserv.com.au.