The Centre for Employment and Labour Relations Law was pleased to host a Labour Law Seminar on climate conscious labour law, presented by Professor Joo-Cheong Tham (Melbourne Law School) and Dr Frances Flanagan (University of Technology Sydney).
The presentation was based on a chapter on ‘Labour Law and Climate Change’. The chapter argues that Australian labour law, is presently indifferent towards climate action and at times, restrictively so. It draws out how: (1) Australian labour law typically does not have environmental objectives; (2) It severely restricts the pursuit of environmental objectives, especially in relation to collective bargaining and industrial action; (3) It does not systematically provide for climate action; and (4) It is premised upon continuous economic growth.
The critique is followed by mapping out four pathways towards a climate conscious Australian labour law, one which can be a vehicle for effective climate action. Professor Joo-Cheong Tham and Frances Flanagan argue for (1) the integration of environmental objectives into Australian labour law; (2) foregrounding green bargaining; (3) invigorating democratic solidarity; and (4) the exploration of post-growth (post-capitalist) futures.
Joo-Cheong Tham is a Professor at Melbourne Law School with expertise in labour law and public law. Since the 2019 student climate strikes, he has increasingly orientated his...
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