Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The government indicated that it would not accept recommendation 10. The amendment that you have proposed is based on that. The bill requires that a new employer notify transferring employees if a new minimum employment period will be required. Of course, if the employer fails to notify transferring employees in writing of the requirement to serve a new minimum employment period, previous service with the old employer will be recognised and the employees will not be required to serve a new minimum period for unfair dismissal purposes. The government did decide that it was important to give the new employer flexibility in this regard; otherwise, it could act as a disincentive to new employers offering employment to employees of the old employer.