IR bill hinges on definition of small business

Does a small business mean 15 staff or less, or 20 staff or less? That is the question facing the Senate as it prepares to vote on the Rudd Government’s Fair Work bill later today.

Independent senators Steve Fielding and Nick Xenophon remain at loggerheads with the Government over the threshold under which small businesses or companies are exempt from unfair dismissal legislation.

Workplace Relations Minister Julia Gillard has steadfastly refused to budge on the Government’s threshold of 15 staff, including casual and part-time employees.

Gillard claims the Government is “honour bound” to deliver on the threshold after releasing its policy on unfair dismissal well before the election in 2007.

But Xenophon and Fielding want that number lifted to 20. “My plea to Julia Gillard is don’t throw away a whole range of measures that will bury WorkChoices,” Xenophon said this morning.

“The Government went to the people at 15, but a lot has changed since that time – the job market has worsened.”

Negotiations are likely to continue today with a vote likely to be held tomorrow.

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