Home |  site-map |  indonesia |  indonesian-single-source-articles |  asteroid-user-registration |

Roy Morgan OZ Panel Login  |  Mail Diary Panel Login |   careers |  contact-us |

 Search:  Entire Site Polls Press Releases 

The Federal Government has proposed that unfair dismissal laws be abolished for employers with one hundred staff or less. Australians are overwhelmingly against this proposal, with 70% saying they disagree, compared with 24% of Australians who agree with the proposal and 6% who couldn’t say, according to a special telephone Morgan Poll, conducted July 20/21 to assess the views of Australians towards the Federal Government’s proposed Industrial Relations Reforms.

The majority of Australians (79%) have heard about the Federal Government’s proposed Industrial Relations reforms - nearly half (47%) of Australians disagreeing with the proposed Industrial Relations reforms, only 17% saying they agree, and 15% unable to say. However despite the publicity surrounding the proposed changes, 21% of Australians have not heard about them.

Only 10% of Australians believe they and their families will be better off under the proposed Industrial Relations reforms, whilst 42% think they will not be better off and 27% are unsure (21% had not heard of the proposed reforms).

Gary Morgan says:

“Industrial Relations reform is an issue that has the potential to swing votes. With 47% of Australians disagreeing with the proposals, 21% not having read or heard of the proposed reforms yet and a further 15% undecided on the issue, the Howard Government will have to move very carefully when implementing these proposals.

“Early indicators from the electorate are that ‘softer’ issues like the extension of the probationary period for new employees from 3 to 6 months and allowing employees to cash in some of the annual leave, will not be especially problematic. However, any moves to change unfair dismissal laws, such as abolishing the laws for smaller employers, will be regarded negatively by the electorate.”

Proposed Reforms

As part of the Industrial Relations reforms the Federal Government has proposed extending the probationary period for new employees from 3 to 6 months. Slightly more Australians disagree with this proposal than agree (47% cf 43%), whilst 10% couldn’t say.

A majority of Australians (55%) agree with the Government’s proposal that employees be able to cash in two weeks of their annual leave. Thirty nine percent of Australians disagree with this proposal and 6% were unable to say.

The 21% of Australians who had not heard of the Industrial Relations reforms initially, were asked again if they agreed or disagreed with the reforms. The response was divided, with 7% disagreed with the reforms, 5% agreed and 9% unable to say.

Those surveyed on July 20/21 were asked if they had any comments or reasons why they disagree with the proposed Industrial Relations reforms. Many respondents mentioned workers’ rights as a major concern, with common responses being:

“I feel that workers do not have the capacity or skills to negotiate conditions and pay with employers on the same level”, “The average Australian will be worse off. There is too much power proposed for the employers - it can only make the standards for the worker go down”, “The changes would take away the workers rights and offer little support in any bargaining” and “It is going to effect employment prospects for the future. It is going to lead to unfair dismissals and lead to the workers losing their rights and privileges”.

Other respondents commented that employers would take advantage of employees under the proposed changes, saying:

“I think that major companies and even small businesses will exploit workers by employing more people as casual and doing away with long service leave. The changes will be in favour of the employer not the employee”, “Workers need unions to maintain fair conditions. If employers have the power they will do anything to make money”, “It would be removing the rights of the average employee and allowing employers to abuse and misuse their authority. It would reduce policy and guidelines for the workplace” and “It gives the employer too much power. Employers will be able to offer contracts selectively and get rid of the people they want”.

Concern for employees in small businesses was mentioned by others, with comments such as:

“Everybody should be covered by the same unfair dismissal laws, regardless of the number of employees in the business” and “I think people who work in small business should have the same rights as those who work in big business”.

Of those who agree with the Industrial Relations reforms, many believe they will benefit Australian employers — particularly small business employers, with common responses being:

“As a manager I agree with the unfair dismissal laws in a business sense. Businesses should be able to shed unsuitable or unproductive employees without fear of penalties”, “I have seen small businessmen be abused by employees and go broke. I have seen employees who are useless - employers can’t get rid of them without paying them out”, “As a small business owner I can appreciate the problems associated with employing people” and “I can see it from both sides, but I honestly do think that the manager should have the right to fire a person who isn’t doing their job properly”.

Others believed the reforms will be beneficial to the economy, saying:

“Without reforms we are not going to be competitive”, “I think the reforms are going to improve the Industrial Relations system, resulting in a stronger economy, higher wages and more jobs” “It could become more competitive. The productivity is not there. We need the external motivation”, “I think it will be beneficial for the long term stability of our economy” and “I think productivity levels will increase in the manufacturing sector”.

This special telephone Morgan Poll was conducted on the evenings of July 20/21, 2005, with 651 respondents aged 14 and over Australia-wide.     

Gary Morgan :   Office (03) 9224 5213   Mobile 0411 129 094   Home (03) 9419 3242

Michele Levine :   Office (03) 9224 5215   Mobile 0411 129 093   Home (03) 9817 3066

Proposed Industrial Relations Reforms

Respondents were first asked: “Firstly, about the Federal Government’s proposed Industrial Relations reforms. Have you read or heard about this?”

Men were more likely than women (84% cf 74%) to have read or heard about the Federal Government’s proposed Industrial Relations reforms.

People aged 35 and over were the most likely (87%) to have heard about the proposed reforms.

# Sample sizes less than 50 should be treated with caution

Analysis by voting intention shows that a large majority of L-NP (84%) and ALP (82%) supporters have read or heard about the Federal Government’s proposed Industrial Relations reforms.

# Sample sizes less than 50 should be treated with caution

*Includes all respondents who were undecided on voting intention, plus those ineligible to vote and those aged 14-17

Agree Or Disagree With Industrial Relations Reforms?

Respondents who had read or heard about the proposed Industrial Relations reforms were then asked: “Do you agree or disagree with the proposed Industrial Relations reforms?”

Men were more likely than women (19% cf 14%) to agree with the proposed reforms.

Analysis by age shows those aged over 50 were more likely (at 24%) than any other age group to agree with the proposed Industrial Relations reforms. Those in the 14-17 year age group were the least likely (at 3%) to agree with the reforms.

Supporters of the L-NP were more likely than supporters of any other party to agree with the Government’s proposed Industrial Relations reforms, with 35% agreeing.  Only 5% of supporters of the ALP agreed with the proposed reforms.

# Sample sizes less than 50 should be treated with caution

*Includes all respondents who were undecided on voting intention, plus those ineligible to vote and those aged 14-17

People living in country areas were more likely than people living in capital cities (21% cf 14%) to agree with the proposed Industrial Relations reforms.

On a State-by-state basis, those living in Queensland and Tasmania were the most likely to agree with the proposed reforms, with 24% each. Victorians were the least likely (14%) to agree with the proposed Industrial Relations reforms.

White Collar workers were more likely than Blue Collar workers (20% cf 11%) to agree with the industrial relations reforms.

Family Better Off With Proposed Industrial Relations Reforms?

Respondents who had read or heard about the proposed Industrial Relations reforms were then asked: “In your opinion w ill you and your family be better off with the proposed Industrial Relations reforms, or not?”

Men were more likely than women (14% cf 7%) to believe that they and their family would be better off under the proposed Industrial Relations reforms.

People aged 35 to 49 were slightly more likely than any other age group to think that they and their family would be better off under the proposed Industrial Relations reforms, with 12%.

Supporters of the Australian Democrats were most likely to think that they and their family would be better off under the proposed Industrial Relations reforms, with 27%, whilst no supporters of Family First though that they and their family would be better off.

# Sample sizes less than 50 should be treated with caution

*Includes all respondents who were undecided on voting intention, plus those ineligible to vote and those aged 14-17

Western Australians were the most likely (14%) to think that they and their families would be better off under the proposed reforms, whilst Victorians were the least likely to think they and their families would be better off, with 4%.

White Collar workers were more likely than Blue Collar workers (12% cf 8%) to think that they and their family would be better off under the proposed Industrial Relations reforms.

Probationary Period Extended From 3 To 6 Months

All respondents were then asked: “ It is proposed that the probationary period for new employees be extended from 3 to 6 months. Do you agree or disagree with this proposal?”

Women were more likely than men (45% cf 41%) to agree with the proposal that the probationary period for new employees be extended from 3 to 6 months.

A majority (51%) of people aged over 50 agreed with the proposal, compared to only 21% of people aged between 14 and 17.

# Sample sizes less than 50 should be treated with caution

A majority of supporters of the L-NP (55%) agreed with the proposal that the probationary period for new employees be extended from 3 to 6 months, compared with 37% of ALP supporters. Supporters of the Greens were least likely (28%) to agree with the proposal.

# Sample sizes less than 50 should be treated with caution

*Includes all respondents who were undecided on voting intention, plus those ineligible to vote and those aged 14-17

Analysis by State shows that those from Tasmania were the most likely (49%) to agree with the proposal that the probationary period for new employees be extended from 3 to 6 months, people from New South Wales (45%) and Victoria (42%) were next, followed closely by Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania with 40% each.

Cash In Annual Leave

Respondents were then asked: “It is proposed that employees will be able to cash in two weeks of their annual leave. Do you agree or disagree with the proposed idea?”

An analysis by age shows that people aged over 50 were least likely (47%) to agree with this proposal.

Supporters of the L-NP were the most likely to agree with the proposal that employees be able to cash in two weeks of their annual leave, with 65%. Supporters of the Greens (40%) and the ALP (44%) were the least likely to agree.

# Sample sizes less than 50 should be treated with caution

*Includes all respondents who were undecided on voting intention, plus those ineligible to vote and those aged 14-17

A majority of people in both capital cities (56%) and country areas (52%) agree with the proposed idea that employees be able to cash in two weeks of their annual leave.

On a state-by-state basis, Western Australians (68%) and Queenslanders (66%) were most likely to agree with the proposal, whilst people from New South Wales (48%) were the least likely.

White Collar workers (57%) were more likely than Blue Collar workers (50%) to agree with the proposed idea that employees be able to cash in two weeks of their annual leave.

Unfair Dismissal Laws

Respondents were then asked: “ It is proposed that unfair dismissal laws be abolished for employers with 100 staff or less. Do you agree or disagree with this?

Men were more likely than women (27% cf 22%) to agree with the proposal that unfair dismissal laws be abolished for employers with 100 staff or less.

Analysis by age shows that those aged over 50 were more likely (28%) than any other age group to agree with the proposal.

L-NP supporters were the most likely (38%) to agree with the proposal that unfair dismissal laws be abolished for employers with 100 staff or less. Markedly less (15%) supporters of the ALP agreed with the proposal.

# Sample sizes less than 50 should be treated with caution

*Includes all respondents who were undecided on voting intention, plus those ineligible to vote and those aged 14-17

People in country areas were more likely than those in capital cities (26% cf 23%) to agree with the proposal that unfair dismissal laws be abolished for employers with 100 staff or less.

On a state-by-state basis, Queenslanders (33%) were the most likely to agree with the proposal, with Western Australians the least likely (20%).

White Collar workers (27%) were more likely than Blue Collar workers (21%) to agree that unfair dismissal laws be abolished for employers with 100 staff or less.

Agree Or Disagree With Industrial Relations Reforms?

Respondents who had not read or heard about the proposed Industrial Relations reforms were then asked: “Do you agree or disagree with the proposed Industrial Relations reforms?”

Women were more likely than men (6% cf 4%) to agree with the proposed reforms.

Analysis by age shows those aged 18 to 24 and 25 to 34 were more likely than any other age group to disagree with the proposed Industrial Relations reforms, with 12% each.