New IR service for the community sector

Canberra's community sector will be better able to navigate tricky industrial relations issues thanks to a new Government-funded advisory service launched today by ACT Minister for Community Services Joy Burch.

"With major changes underway to industrial relations in the community sector, this is a good time to be launching this new service," Ms Burch said.

"The Government is supporting the sector with more responsive IR advice for community groups which will allow them to put more resources into their core work - helping vulnerable people in our society."

The Industrial Relations Advisory Service will be run as a partnership by the ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) and Jobs Australia, with $100,000 of ACT Government seed funding.

Jobs Australia will provide industrial relations advice while ACTCOSS will contribute its detailed knowledge of local issues.

The service will include a 1800 toll-free number providing industrial relations advice to the sector, web-based resources and email circulars with IR news, regular face-to-face advice sessions and a consultancy service for employers.

Ms Burch said industrial relations in the community sector were going through significant changes, including the Award modernisation that came into effect on 1January2010 and the National Equal Remuneration Case currently before Fair Work Australia.

"The service will provide the ACT community sector with timely industrial relations advice in a complex industrial climate.

"It is part of this government's ongoing commitment to providing the tools to the community sector to carry out their crucial work as effectively as possible."