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Minister flags agenda for "same job, same pay" and other IR changes

The staffing sector can expect to see the "more controversial" aspects of Labor's workplace relations agenda introduced in the second half of this year, including "same job, same pay" laws, Employment Minister Tony Burke has confirmed.

"We have time this year and so while there will be some legislation that comes up in the first half of the year, the more controversial parts of our election promises that we haven't yet dealt with will be in the second half of the year," Burke told the National Press Club yesterday.

"The consultation will start next week," he says, noting this specifically includes meetings with "ACCI, AiG, the BCA, Master Builders, National Farmers, the ACTU and COSBOA".

"This year's legislation and the election commitments we have to get to are about closing loopholes that can undercut the principles that we put through last year..."