Key facts
- Deputy premier Jarrod Bleijie will have the power to break public sector strikes.
- Workers will need to show their workplace was the primary cause of psychological injury to claim compensation.
- The public sector in Queensland employs over 320,000 people.
The Liberal National Party government in Queensland, known for its cautious approach, has announced significant and controversial changes to workplace laws. These proposals include granting the deputy premier, Jarrod Bleijie, the authority to break public sector strikes if deemed "in the public interest." Additionally, the government plans to restrict compensation claims for psychological injuries among public servants, requiring workers to demonstrate their workplace was the primary cause. Law firm Slater and Gordon and the United Workers Union have voiced concerns, with the union calling it an "underhanded attack on Queensland ambulance officers and other hospital staff." Conversely, several business groups have welcomed the reforms. Opposition leader Steven Miles criticized the move as a return to the "Newman-era attack on workers."