Amanda Rishworth (Kingston, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Hansard source

Importantly, this amendment has no impact on employee entitlements. Employees will receive their full entitlement.

Taken together, these amendments strengthen the operation of the unpaid levy payment arrangements and respond directly to stakeholder feedback provided through the inquiry process. They make it easier for employers to enter into the arrangements, deal with sensible legacy record-keeping issues and ensure fairness where other payments have already been made in relation to a period of long service leave. Most importantly, they support the central purpose of this bill by encouraging employer participation and removing unnecessary obstacles. These amendments will help ensure that workers in the black coalmining industry are connected with their long service leave entitlements efficiently and in full. This is about resolving the past in a practical way, supporting employers to meet their obligations and delivering certainty and fairness for workers who are entitled to these benefits. I commend the amendments to the House.

Question agreed to.

Bill, as amended, agreed to.

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