Ian McAuley argues that WorkChoices is likely to have a negative impact on productivity: "If labour is cheaper to employ there will be less incentive for firms to ensure workers are employed productively."

In his 2006 Foenander lecture, Joe Isaac outlined the requirements of economically efficient and socially fair IR system.

Rob Durbridge reports on the ACTU’s new push for an IR policy based on ‘good faith’ collective bargaining

The passage of the WorkChoices amendments to the Workplace Relations Act through the Senate in December 2005 was a major turning point, not simply the unfolding of a process of change which commenced 20 years earlier under the Hawke Labor Government. This point was made tellingly by former prime minister Hawke, who recently described the amendments as 'an assault upon the very core of what generations of our citizens have been proud to boast of...

The current Australian industrial system has evolved from societal and constitutional acknowledgements of the conflicting interests of workforce participants and their collective organisations and the establishment of a quasi-judicial regulatory process. The provision in the Australian Constitution for the prevention and settlement of industrial disputes by conciliation and arbitration is based upon an egalitarian value and principle.

Australian society is one of monumental self delusion. In public discourse, we congratulate ourselves for our 'fair-go' dealings with each other. Our alleged egalitarianism and 'mateship' is perpetuated by the mass media as a representation of the glue that binds our society. The myth, like all national legends, has clearly been rough around the edges with notable contradictions evident.