Coalition would dump right to disconnect law: Dutton

Criminal penalties for bosses contacting employees after hours under Labor's workplace reforms would be scrapped under a coalition government, Peter Dutton says. 

Workers will soon have the right to ignore unreasonable calls and emails outside their rostered shifts.

But the government's legislation, which cleared parliament on Thursday, includes penalties for employers who breach the rules.

Asked if he would take a promise to repeal the change at the next federal election, the opposition leader replied "yes, we will".

"We will take a policy that's in our country's best interests that provides support to workers, but doesn't make it impossible, particularly for small businesses to employ staff," Mr Dutton told Sky News.

Labor has blamed the coalition for not allowing an amendment to the legislation before it passed to remove penalties.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the coalition had the opportunity to vote against the breaches being considered a criminal matter, but chose to leave it in place.

"That just shows they'll always put politics before the working people of this country," he said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said the government would amend its legislation to "fix" the blunder.

Dr Chalmers said the right to disconnect was "a common sense change" that meant a worker could take up a complaint against their employer.

The opposition has criticised the government for botching its own legislation.

Opposition treasury spokesman Angus Taylor said the coalition would take a targeted package to the next election to abolish Labor's industrial relations reforms.

"We've seen behind that collapse in living standards is an unprecedented collapse in labour productivity in this country," he told the ABC's Insiders program.

"We have to get back on track here and the key to that is is to get employers and employees working together to make their workplaces more prosperous, more productive, more competitive."

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store