The Queensland State Government has recently passed legislation which came into place from the 1st September 2005 which acts, where possible as a safety net to protect employees who may lose conditions under changes proposed by the Howard Government to Federal workplace relations.

The Industrial Relations Amendment Act 2005 amended the Industrial Relations Act 1999 (QLD).

Minimum entitlements provided for in the Queensland legislation include:-

- Paid jury service
- 38 hour week
- Paid overtime
- Unpaid meal breaks of at least 30 minutes for work over 5 hours
- Annual leave loading of 17.5%
- Casual leave loading of 23%
- Shift loading of 12.5 for afternoon shift and 15% for night shift
- Overtime rates for working on public holidays
- Penalty rates of 25% for Saturdays and 50% for Sundays
- Redundancy payments

The potential protection for South Australian workers is significant, and the PSA has written to the South Australian Government urging it to introduce similar legislation.

For enquiries, please contact Chief Industrial officer Peter ChrIstopher on 8205 3224 or email: pgc@cpsu.asn.au