Workers would be able to take double their annual leave at half pay and up to a year of unpaid parental leave under a re-elected Coalition government.
And grandparents will get leave rights for the first time.
Workplace Relations Minister Joe Hockey today talked up the government's workplace reforms as he released its workplace relations policy, aiming for full employment.
The launch came during a nationally-televised debate with his Labor opponent Julia Gillard.
"(It is) a policy that targets three per cent unemployment, a policy that locks in a stable workplace relations system to the next term of government so that business can get about employing more Australians."
Under the new policy, workers with the agreement of their employers will be able to take double their annual leave at half pay.
Parents will be able to take up to 52 weeks of unpaid parental leave.
The Age
I think I've got the government worked out now. See, what WorkChoices was really about was making workers grateful for the changes in legislation.
(Hockey) stick with me here.
Take away the awards that allow for unpaid parental leave or leave half-pay, then, when enough people have signed AWAs and just when it looks like you're up shit creek at election time, announce that you are going to allow them to have unpaid parental leave and leave half-pay!
That way, you look like you're giving them something, but you're actually just giving them back what they already had. And those people on the AWAs? Sorry, you'll have to wait until you next get together with your employer to negotiate your working conditions!
Employers don't lose out 'cause they've gotten what they want, the government doesn't lose out (and they hopefully win back the hearts and
Brilliant. Just fucking brilliant. You gotta hand it to them - it's genius.
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