IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR QUEENSLAND EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES:
As you would be aware, since the commencement of the federal government's workplace relations laws on 27 March 2006, employers who are constitutional corporations (including financial or trading corporations, generally Pty Ltds or Limiteds) and their employees have been covered under federal industrial relations jurisdiction.

Non-corporate employers (generally individual sole traders or partnerships) and their employees have continued to operate under Queensland industrial relations jurisdiction.

However, the Queensland Government has now introduced legislation which will refer to the Commonwealth the state's industrial relations powers for the private sector. These changes will operate as from 1 January 2010 and will mean that all employers and employees in Queensland with the exception of state and local government will be covered under a national industrial relations system administered by the Commonwealth Government.

Importantly, the Queensland Government has ensured that safeguards exist so that the national system will operate in the best interests of all Queensland employers and employees.

For further information on these changes you may contact:

• Wageline on 1300 369 945
• Workplace Rights hotline on 1300 737 841 or visit www.workplacerights.qld.gov.au; or
• the Commonwealth's Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 or visit www.fwo.gov.au.