Work Choices Fair Pay Chief heavily criticised
{{date|December 21, 2005}}

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[[Image:IanHarper.jpg|thumb|Work Choices Fair Pay Chief: [[w:Ian Harper|Ian Harper]] ]]

Professor [[w:Ian Harper|Ian Harper]] the [[w:Fourth Howard Ministry|government]] appointed [[w:workchoices|Fair Pay Chief]] has come under heavy criticism this week from the Labour groups and the [[w:Australian Labor Party|federal opposition]]. 

Professor Harper was a [[w:non-executive director|non-executive director]] of the Australian Derivatives Exchange (ADX) when it was put under administration in March 28, 2001. The [[w:corporation|company]] went broke owing workers more than $700,000. In the process ADX  breached the [[w:Corporations Act 2001|corporations law]] by failing to maintain required [[w:cash reserves|cash reserves]] , although the company eventually gave workers their [[w:entitlements]].

Workplace Relations Minister [[w:Kevin Andrews|Kevin Andrews]] appointed Professor Harper in October, Mr Andrews spokesman Defended the appointment saying the government was aware of the economist's history with the company and said in relation Professor Harper role in ADX ’s demise: 
"There has been absolutely no wrongdoing," 
"The government was made aware by Prof Harper, and also by doing a check ourselves, of the company going into administration.”
"We believe that Prof Harper is an eminently qualified person to head up the Australian Fair Pay Commission."

[[w:Wayne Swan|Wayne Swan]] the Oppositions treasury, who has attacked the government over the [[w:Robert Gerard|Robert Gerards]] appointment to the reserve bank affair,[[w:spokesman|spokesman]] has said there were serious questions to answer about Prof Harper's appointment.
"There is a pattern of behaviour here and a stench that surrounds the Howard government,".
"This is a government whose actions and appointments are blinded by extreme ideology." Mr Swan said commenting on the recent history of important government appointments. 

[[w:Sharan Burrow|Sharan Burrow]] the president of the [[w:ACTU|ACTU]] has told ABC radio that the government must better scrutinize Mr Harper’s business behaviour. "How on earth can they expect Australians to have any faith in their so-called [[w:Fair Pay Commission|Fair Pay Commission]] if the very head they've appointed, another government mate, is under a cloud," 

==Controversial Government Appointments== 
*[[w:Robert Gerard|Robert Gerard]]
*[[w:Ian Harper|Ian Harper]]

==Workchoices issue related news==
{{aussieissue|Australian industrial relations legislation, 2005}}
*{{wikinews|title=Australian states to launch high court battle against IR reforms|date=December 22, 2005 }}
*{{wikinews|title=Australian Government to introduce IR reforms next week|date=October 24, 2005 }}
*{{wikinews|title=Hundreds of thousands rally in Australia against IR legislation|date=November 15, 2005 }}
*{{wikinews|title=New Australian industrial relations legislation passes House of Representatives|date=November 11, 2005}}
*{{wikinews|title=Suspicions of nepotism arise from pulping of new Australian industrial relations information booklets|date=November 8, 2005}}
*{{wikinews|title=Australian Government to introduce IR reforms next week|date=October 24, 2005 }}

== Sources ==
{{wikipediapar|WorkChoices|Australian industrial relations legislation}}
*{{source|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Govt-defends-Fair-Pay-Commissioner/2005/12/21/1135032042378.html
|title= Govt defends Fair Pay Commissioner
|author=
|pub=AAP
|date=7:34AM December 21, 2005 }}
<!-- Hint: If you are citing ABC Online, leave the author blank and put "Australian Broadcasting Corporation" in the "pub" parameter. -->

*{{source|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200512/s1535398.htm
|title= Wage chief's business dealings questioned
|author=Stephen Long
|pub=Australian Broadcasting Corporation
|date=8:00am December 21, 2005}}

*{{source|url=http://www9.sbs.com.au/theworldnews/region.php?id=126446&region=7
|title= CLOUD OVER FAIR PAY AGENCY
|author= 
|pub=Special Broadcasting Service
|date=11:21:34 December 21, 2005}}

{{Published}}

{{archive}}
[[Category:Australia]]
[[Category:Oceania]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Economy and business]]
[[Category:Crime and law]]
[[Category:WorkChoices]]
[[Category:Wayne Swan]]
Ian Harper 

Professor Ian Harper the government appointed Fair Pay Chief has come under heavy criticism this week from the Labour groups and the federal opposition. 

Professor Harper was a non-executive director of the Australian Derivatives Exchange (ADX) when it was put under administration in March 28, 2001. The company went broke owing workers more than $700,000. In the process ADX  breached the corporations law by failing to maintain required cash reserves , although the company eventually gave workers their w:entitlements.

Workplace Relations Minister Kevin Andrews appointed Professor Harper in October, Mr Andrews spokesman Defended the appointment saying the government was aware of the economist's history with the company and said in relation Professor Harper role in ADX ’s demise: 
"There has been absolutely no wrongdoing," 
"The government was made aware by Prof Harper, and also by doing a check ourselves, of the company going into administration.”
"We believe that Prof Harper is an eminently qualified person to head up the Australian Fair Pay Commission."

Wayne Swan the Oppositions treasury, who has attacked the government over the Robert Gerards appointment to the reserve bank affair,spokesman has said there were serious questions to answer about Prof Harper's appointment.
"There is a pattern of behaviour here and a stench that surrounds the Howard government,".
"This is a government whose actions and appointments are blinded by extreme ideology." Mr Swan said commenting on the recent history of important government appointments. 

Sharan Burrow the president of the ACTU has told ABC radio that the government must better scrutinize Mr Harper’s business behaviour. "How on earth can they expect Australians to have any faith in their so-called Fair Pay Commission if the very head they've appointed, another government mate, is under a cloud," 

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Australia Oceania Politics and conflicts Economy and business Crime and law WorkChoices Wayne Swan