I had wondered how Tony Abbott and Eric Abetz were going to deal with the now misshapen federal industrial relations tribunal given the disproportionately large number of union appointments under the previous government. Abolish; abolish and re-constitute; new legislation; many new appointments but with an employer background. Every one would have been costly and taken a political toll. What they are now proposing to do shows what a creative and sensible government we are now blessed with. Apparently The Australian has an exclusive: “Tony Abbott to bring in new IR supremo“:

THE Abbott government is moving to impose an appeals body over the nation’s workplace umpire, declaring concern at inconsistent decisions by the Fair Work Commission.

The new body, which follows employer claims that Labor had stacked the tribunal, would be headed by a Coalition appointee and would establish a new avenue for appeal against commission rulings.

And then, with the appeals process in place, the re-balancing of the Commission can take place over the next few years as retirements and other departures take place.

I am filled with admiration for whoever thought this up.