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Upper House Defers Ben Carroll Work-From-Home Bill 18–17

By Drooid · Sep 11, 2026, 9:17 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Premier Ben Carroll had his work-from-home bill referred to a parliamentary committee.
Upper House MPs voted 18-17 to defer the bill after Jeff Bourman moved the amendment.
Labor-turned-independent Adem Somyurek returned after months to support the referral.
Carroll called the opposition’s action anti-worker and anti-family in a press conference.
The Property Council of Australia praised the deferral, warning it would hurt jobs, with committee required to report by 20 October.

History

Historical Context

In 2005, Prime Minister John Howard’s WorkChoices legislation reshaped Australia’s industrial relations, granting employers broad flexibility over work conditions. The Senate approved the bill 39-31, and the Australian Council of Trade Unions warned it would jeopardize 2.5 million workers’ rights. Today, Premier Ben Carroll’s work-from-home bill faces a similar parliamentary referral, with the Property Council of Australia echoing concerns about job impacts. If the committee’s report, due 20 October, mirrors past outcomes, employers may retain flexible arrangements while workers confront limited remote-work protections.

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Story summary

Premier Ben Carroll had his work-from-home bill referred to a parliamentary committee.
Upper House MPs voted 18-17 to defer the bill after Jeff Bourman moved the amendment.
Labor-turned-independent Adem Somyurek returned after months to support the referral.
Carroll called the opposition’s action anti-worker and anti-family in a press conference.
The Property Council of Australia praised the deferral, warning it would hurt jobs, with committee required to report by 20 October.

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