The Senate inquiry was given many examples of jobs offered on an AWA-only basis. He probably has not been told yet that the restaurant dropped its AWA policy and has opted instead for a collective agreement. In 1998, the incoming Beattie Government conducted an inquiry into the Borbidge agreements. This showed that the QWAs tended to provide for low pay, to reduce award conditions, and not to come about as a result of genuine negotiation. The Beattie Government therefore amended the legislation.
Employers can no longer make QWAs with juniors.
The secrecy provisions for QWAs have been removed, opening them to public scrutiny. Most importantly, the State Commission is now required to ensure that QWAs are not contrary to the public interest, and, when it considers the public interest, it may consider the relative bargaining power and the particular circumstances and needs of low-paid workers, women, young people, outworkers, apprentices and trainees. There have been two interesting results from the Queensland experience. The other result is that, since they have been improved in this way, they have virtually fallen into disuse. Under Borbidge, an average of 282 new QWAs were agreed per quarter.