Major Tribunal Decisions in 1999

Federal industrial relations in 1999 were marked by a continuing increase in the role played by the ordinary courts. This not only demonstrates the willingness of the parties to turn to the courts for assistance in resolving industrial disputes, but also reflects the increasing complexity and juridification of our industrial relations system. The diminished capacity of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission to arbi trate and the increased devolution of responsibility for industrial relations outcomes to the parties were also highlighted in decisions of the commission. In other key decisions, limitations on the tactics that can be used in the enterprise bargaining process were examined.