As members may be aware, Hon Brooke van Velden, Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety, has announced today that the Government has determined to make some immediate changes to the Equal Pay Act and related pay equity claim process.
Read the government media release
The changes are being introduced in an Amendment Bill in Parliament this afternoon, which has been prioritised to fast-track through the Parliamentary process and take effect before the end of this month.
Notably, the proposed changes include existing pay equity claims and settlements. It is proposed that all existing pay equity claims that are not yet settled (including those subject to Employment Relations Authority or Court processes) will be discontinued.
Obviously, this is a huge change with significant implications for all parties currently involved in pay equity processes, and there is much to consider here following the Minister’s announcement and multiple proposed changes.
Whilst we all now need to take some time to consider these changes and implications, in practical terms it means that all existing plans for all current claims will need to go on hold, and the parties can consider matters paused for the time being.
In the meantime, the Peak Bodies will be urgently seeking further clarity from the funder representatives on what is now proposed to ensure that these important frontline health and disability workers can be remunerated appropriately when delivering these essential services – and as soon as possible.
It is also expected that there will be some urgent meetings held with union representatives to work through next steps, and we can expect that there will be significant media activity on this front.
We will continue to monitor these changes and hope to provide further updates in the near future. It is likely that we will arrange an online information session in the near future also where questions can be raised and answered.
