Anthony Albanese’s industrial relations laws set to be passed after weeks of debate

The Albanian government’s controversial labor relations laws are expected to be passed by parliament after tight negotiations with key senate leaders.

Workplace Relations Secretary Tony Burke says he is confident the changes at work, which enshrine multi-employer negotiations, will become law after talks with Independent Senator David Pocock on Saturday night.

“It hasn’t been an easy negotiation and Senator Pocock has been very clear about some of the principles he wanted to look at,” Burke told ABC’s Insiders program on Sunday.

“He would have preferred everything to be settled next year when we said we wanted to make decisions this year. It has been a very intensive process.’

Under the changes, an independent, statutory body would review the adequacy of aid payments before each federal budget.

Small businesses with fewer than 20 employees will be excluded from multi-company negotiations.

Anthony Albanese’s controversial labor relations law will be passed by parliament this week

Companies with fewer than 50 employees receive extra guarantees if they want to refrain from negotiating with multiple employers.

The minimum negotiation period will also be extended from six to nine months.

Labor has pushed for the laws to be passed by the end of the year, despite only one week of sittings remaining before parliament rises for summer recess.

It argues that the shift in workplace relationships is necessary to put upward pressure on workers’ wages as inflation rises.

But business groups have resisted the changes in multi-employer negotiations, arguing they will lead to increased industrial action.

Senator Pocock said the deal he made with the government was comprehensive.

“This is now a substantially different bill than the bill that was introduced in the House of Representatives a month ago,” he said in a statement.

“It’s better for business, better for workers and ensures that the most vulnerable in our community are no longer left to fend for themselves.”

He said the commitment to review aid payments would be a game-changer.

“I went into this to get the best policy outcome, balancing the urgent need for workers to get a pay raise with legislation that will work in practice by providing pay raises to those who need it, without unreasonable impose burdens on small businesses.

“I believe we’ve struck the right balance, significantly improving legislation with the added commitment that will help prevent governments from leaving our most vulnerable behind.”

Civil construction will be removed from all multi-employer bargaining streams under the changes.

A review of the laws will also take place within two years of the passing of the bill.

Mr Burke said the government would incorporate into law all the recommendations of a Senate report, including lifting the threshold for defining a small business from 15 to 20 employees.

“It’s a headcount using the headcount principles that are already there, you won’t be able to play it with the sudden rise or fall of casuals who are just on the books and not getting services,” he said.

The minister said it was likely the lower house would have to meet on Saturday to pass the bills when they are passed by the Senate later this week.

“We’ll be back no matter what and how fast the… bill comes through,” he said.

“There will still be amendments to be considered by the House and we will be here Saturday to deal with that.”