Industrial Relations Society of WA

Presidents Report  

Industrial Relations Society of Western Australia

Annual General Meeting

19 March 2003

Seminar Program

The following seminars have been held since the last AGM in March 2002:

Professor David Plowman gave a seminar on "The Beginning of Industrial Relations Regulation in WA" in April 2002.

Ex Commissioner Bob Laing provided an overview of his review of Occupational Health and Safety legislation in June 2002.

A panel on the proposed new Industrial Relations legislation with Hon. John Kobelke, Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection, Stephanie Mayman, Secretary of UnionsWA and Bruce Williams of the CCI, generated a lively debate in July 2002.

Russell Lansbury, Professor of Industrial Relations and Associate Dean (Research) in the Faculty of Economics and Business at the University of Sydney, drew upon international and Australian research to talk about Working Futures: Challenges and Opportunities in August.

The large gathering at the Xmas function in December was entertained and informed by Moira Raynor, then Acting Equal Employment Opportunity Commissioner.

The 2003 year began with a seminar on Right of Entry with contributions from Dave Kelly, Secretary of the Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers and Scott Ellis, Partner with Freehills.

Annual Convention

The Society held the Annual Convention on Rottnest Island in October 2002. This venue provided a relaxing and informal environment for a very successful Convention. The theme, in keeping with the tourism and hospitality focus of Rottnest, was "The New Industrial Relations System: Are You Being Served?"

Some of the papers from the Convention and the Seminars are available on the website.

Membership

The number of financial members fluctuates but has remained relatively steady and is currently a little below 300.