Fair Work gig is jobs for boys: coalition

THE federal coalition has accused Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten of handing out jobs for the boys after the appointment of former ACTU secretary Jeff Lawrence to the Fair Work Commission.

Mr Shorten on Thursday announced eight new appointments to the national workplace relations tribunal, including Mr Lawrence as a deputy president.

Opposition workplace relations spokesman Eric Abetz said the appointment of Mr Lawrence, who stood down as ACTU secretary last year, confirmed the government's "jobs for Labor's mates network is alive and well".

"It was always very curious that Mr Lawrence silently stepped away from his plum job at the ACTU but now we know why," Senator Abetz said in a statement.

"Labor promised they would not appoint an endless tribe of trade union bosses to the commission, but it seems that's exactly what we've got."

Mr Shorten said the eight appointments had followed an independent merit-based selection process, in consultation with Senator Abetz and the states and territories.

The new faces at the commission include Law Council of Australia President Joe Catanzariti and industrial relations lawyer Adam Hatcher, SC, both appointed vice presidents.

Four new deputy presidents were named - Mr Lawrence, workplace relations lawyer Val Gostencnik, and Fair Work Commissioners Anne Gooley and Ingrid Asbury.

Two new commissioners were also appointed, Fair Work Ombudsman Nick Wilson and Leigh Johns, who is chief executive of the government's Fair Work Building and Construction agency.

"I am confident these appointments will further enhance the experience, integrity and balance of the commission," Mr Shorten said in a statement.

Business group the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) complained that candidates from industry had been overlooked by the government.

"That the government could not appoint one person of the eight from an active current role in industry or from amongst employer bodies is disrespectful to the private sector," chief executive Peter Anderson said in a statement.

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