Queensland Labor criticizes LNP industrial relations bill

Queensland Labor leader Steven Miles has accused the Liberal National Party (LNP) of introducing legislation that represents a “Newman-era attack on workers.” The criticism follows Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie’s introduction of a bill aimed at reforming the state’s industrial relations laws and workers’ compensation scheme.

The proposed legislation, which acts on recommendations from a government-commissioned review, would grant the Deputy Premier powers to terminate protected industrial action. The bill also seeks to allow employers to apply to an industrial umpire to suspend or terminate such action if public services are significantly impacted or if the action is deemed contrary to the public interest.

While Bleijie defended the changes, stating they would be used sparingly and align with federal powers, Miles argued the provisions are broader than federal law. Miles characterized the move as a return to old political playbooks, specifically citing previous eras of industrial relations reform.