Victorian Premier Ben Carroll delays work from home reform until July 1, 2027
Premier Ben Carroll has made a massive call on reforms that would allow Victorian workers to work from home two days a week.
Victorian Premier Ben Carroll has delayed the state’s work-from-home reforms until July next year.
In a press conference on Tuesday morning, Mr Carroll said the work-from-home reforms “would not proceed” on September 1 as expected and would instead be pushed out until July 1, 2027.
The proposed changes, which were introduced by ex-premier Jacinta Allan, would give eligible workers the right to work from home two days a week if it was reasonable to do so.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Mr Carroll said while he still supported working from home,he said he “equally” wanted to continue working with the business community to ensure the policy was right.
“We need to make sure our economy – everyone knows it’s a partnership between working families and the business community, and the government,” he said.
“My door will always be open to the business community.
“I want Victoria to be open for business, I want it to be thriving.”
The proposed work-from-home Bill has faced criticism from business owners, including the Business Council of Australia, which urged for the reforms to be scrapped in favour of focusing on “turning around the Victorian economy, creating jobs and lifting living standards”.
“This Bill is a solution trying to find a problem that does not exist because flexible work is already widely available across Victorian workplaces,” the council said on Monday.
“Employers and employees already negotiate flexible arrangements that reflect the needs of individuals, their roles and their workplaces.”
On Tuesday, Mr Carroll said the delay would offer the party more time to “make sure this policy is right”.
“That’s why I’m going to continue with the business community and make sure this policy is right,” he said.
“I will study, I will listen and I will consult on any commonsense amendments.”
On July 30, Mr Carroll said he would consider “sensible” changes to the upcoming legislation but would still enshrine the right to work from home for two days per week.
“Work from home does work for families, and now it will go through that parliamentary process, and we will consider anything that is sensible,” he said at the time.
“Sensible changes will always come up in any debate, and like any other debate, they will be considered.”
More to come...
Originally published as Victorian Premier Ben Carroll delays work from home reform until July 1, 2027
