Independent senators Nick Xenophon and Steve Fielding remain unwilling to pass the Rudd Government’s new Fair Work bill unless Workplace Relations Minister Julia Gillard gives way on the threshold under which small businesses are exempt from unfair dismissal laws.
Under the Fair Work bill, the threshold will be set at 15 or less staff, including casual and part time workers. Xenophon wants that increased to 20 staff and Fielding has proposed the threshold be set at 20 full-time equivalents.
Xenophon says he will vote for Fielding’s amendment if Gillard won’t change her mind.
“[The threshold] will scare small businesses in these very uncertain times,” he said yesterday.
The Senate will debate the bill again today, giving Gillard another chance to continue her negotiations with the independent senators.
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