EA Deal Cheats Workers

During this Estimates session with the Fair Work Commission (FWC), I asked questions comparing award rates of pay with those in enterprise agreements (EAs). I was told that EAs use a multifactor approach on a case-by-case basis, with no strict requirements.

Mr Furlong said that a key issue in comparing EAs with the Award in the coal miner cases was that the Award did not include provisions for casual employees.

I pointed out that it appeared the FWC could authorise an EA "on the papers"—that is, on written material only—when the employer and union were in agreement, even if the arrangement cheated workers due to a cosy relationship between the parties.

— Senate Estimates | October 2025

Transcript: https://www.malcolmrobertsqld.com.au/ea-deal-cheats-workers/