The role of the Commission’s media liaison officer continued to develop in the reporting period. In addition to handling media inquiries and preparing media releases and background materials on the Commission’s work, the media liaison officer was involved in an increasing range of public affairs activities. These included the conciliation video project, the Centenary of Federation display and redesigning the AIRC’s Home Page. In 2000-01 the media liaison officer attended a national meeting of courts public information officers in Darwin and conducted briefing sessions for cadet journalists in Sydney and Perth.

In August 2000 a delegation of Korean government officials, including members of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions and the Labor Relations Policy Bureau, met with Justice Giudice, Commissioner Lewin and Deputy Industrial Registrar McCarroll to discuss the role of the Commission.

In August 2000 Vice President Ross met with representatives of the Indonesian Ministry of Justice and Human Rights and the Indonesian Board of Arbitration to discuss alternative dispute resolution.

On 15 November 2000 and 13 February 2001 Commissioner Gay and Deputy Industrial Registrar McCarroll met delegations from the Peoples Republic of China reviewing Australian industrial relations legislation, institutions and practice. The delegations from Shanghai and Yunan comprised arbitration and conciliation officials of central and provincial departments of labour together with representatives of regional enterprises and associations.

In March 2001 Justice Giudice, Justice Boulton and Justice Wright, President of the Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales, met with Justice Stephen Adler, President of the National Labour Court of Israel. Justice Adler also addressed Members of the Commission at a lunch held in his honour on the jurisdiction of the Labour Court in Israel and its approach to the settlement of disputes.

Justice Boulton, Senior Deputy President Lacy and Registry officer Mr Andrew O’Brien met with a delegation of members of the Indonesian Parliament on 15 May 2001. The committee was examining new legislation on manpower development and protection and on the settlement of labour disputes. The leader of the delegation, Mr Yacob Nuwa Wea, was subsequently (9 August 2001) appointed the Minister of Manpower and Transmigration in the Cabinet announced by Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri. The Manpower Ministry is in effect the Labour Ministry in Indonesia and covers all labour matters including employment and transmigration.

Justice Boulton (second from left) and Senior Deputy President Lacy (far right) with members of the Indonesian delegation including Mr Yacob Nua Wea (centre).

On 22 June 2001 a delegation sponsored by the American Council of Young Political Leaders and the Australian Political Exchange Council met with Justice Giudice, Senior Deputy President Watson, Senior Deputy President Acton, Commissioner Lewin and media liaison officer Ms Judy Hughes to discuss the statutory role of the Commission as well as the history of industrial relations in Australia.

Justice Giudice (centre) with members of the US delegation, Senior Deputy Presidents Watson and Acton and Commissioner Lewin.

As part of its public information activities, the Commission regularly hosts student groups from secondary schools as well as colleges and tertiary institutions.