Chapter:
3 - Australian Capital Territory Government
Mover:
Michael Hiscox
Seconder:
Thomas Fischer
 
 
Source:
Union: CFMEU
My Private Notes


Preamble
​The Secure Local Jobs Code (SLJC) is a nation leading procurement code designed to ensure that
Government purchasing power is used to prioritise secure, well-paid and safe jobs for ACT workers, by
contracting with businesses that engage in ethical practices.
However, like any regulatory framework, the SLJC is only as good as its enforcement mechanisms. To
enhance the effectiveness of the Code and to ensure it can fulfil its purpose, the enforcement mechanisms
must be strengthened. The Code must utilise the industrial knowledge of trade unions and incorporate
them into the compliance process, as in the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) and Work Health and Safety Act 2011
(ACT).

We know that secure, well-paid jobs are not the result of the generosity of the bosses – they are the
fought for and won by workers in their union. To achieve its purpose, the SLJC must ensure that unions are
engaged throughout the tender process, so that unscrupulous employers are not able to game the system
and undermine labour conditions in the ACT
General Resolution

Improving the SLJC

​This Conference of the ACT Labor Party calls upon the ACT Labor Government to enhance compliance and enforcement of the Secure Local Jobs Code by: 
1. The inclusion of a consultation mechanism during the SLJC Certificate application process to allow parties such a Unions, to raise potential contraventions by applicants. This ensures applicants with a history of noncompliance that have not had judgements against them are still addressed in the audit process. For example, businesses that have a history of underpayments that has been resolved through union organising without a judgement.  
2. The expansion of investigative powers to mirror the WHS Act and Fair Work Act to enable unions to investigate and prosecute suspected breaches of the Code by a Code Certified Entity.