Federal workplace rule changes become law

The federal government is heralding its industrial relations reforms as a Christmas present for the Australian economy after the laws were ticked off by the lower house. The Secure Jobs, Better Pay bill passed in Senate late on Thursday and was rubber-stamped by the government-controlled chamber yesterday, with 78 votes for and 42 against. Employment Minister Tony Burke said passing the laws signalled the day Parliament decided to get wages moving, laws would simplify bargaining, put an end to exploitative job advertisements promoting work for less than the legal minimum and stop pay secrecy clauses.