The governance of the industrial umpire, Fair Work Commission, needs to be overhauled in the wake of the controversy surrounding its Vice President Michael Lawler, the Productivity Commission believes. It has proposed a new process for the appointment of commissioners and the setting of fixed 10-year terms instead of the present indefinite appointments until retirement age. The Productivity Commission review into the industrial regime has proposed the Fair Work Commission publish more detailed information about conciliation outcomes and for greater scrutiny to be applied to commission members. The proposals follow an extensive investigation into Mr Lawler’s taking of more than nine months’ sick leave on full pay during which time he assisted in the legal defence of his partner, disgraced former union leader Kathy Jackson. President of the industrial umpire Iain Ross informed a Senate hearing earlier this year that he previously warned Mr Lawler that his conduct risked damaging the standing of the Fair Work Commission.
