Senator Pauline Hanson’s assertion that Australian businesses are “tied” to lazy workers they “can’t sack” has ignited a sharp backlash from employment law specialists and small‑business advocates, who say her claims don’t reflect how workplace laws actually operate.
During her National Press Club address on Wednesday, Hanson called for a “complete overhaul” of industrial relations laws, arguing that employers are fed up with staff who “don’t work, don’t turn up” and spend their shifts on their phones.
But several experts say the system already gives employers clear pathways to dismiss underperforming staff provided they follow proper procedure.
Anne Nalder, CEO of the Small Business Association, rejected Hanson’s characterisation outright. “It’s not true that you can’t sack workers,” she said. “But you have to follow the rules.”
Australian Services Union national secretary Emeline Gaske also dismissed Hanson’s claims, saying they were not supported by evidence. “I have never seen an employer not be able to deal with genuine performance issues,” she said, arguing that effective management not legislative overhaul is the real issue.
Yet some HR professionals say Hanson’s comments resonate with what many small businesses are experiencing. Emily Jaksch, CEO of HR Gurus, said her clients feel “overwhelmed” and “burnt out” by a system they believe increasingly favours employees.
She pointed to a surge in claims lodged with the Fair Work Commission which cost just $90 to file and said the rise of AI‑generated applications has made employers more fearful of unfair dismissal and adverse action cases.
“They are absolutely terrified,” Jaksch said, noting that some employees now use the claims process to “drag out” disputes or secure payouts.
The debate underscores a widening divide between those who say the industrial relations system is functioning as intended and those who believe it has become a minefield for small businesses struggling to manage staff and avoid costly legal battles.
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