Thursday, 5 February 2026
Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan has slammed the Minns Labor Government’s Bill to give unions the power to access digital systems in workplaces across the state.
If passed, the legislation will apply to every workplace across NSW including small businesses, retailers, schools, hospitals, construction sites, government agencies and beyond.
Mr Moylan said the Bill poses a huge risk to employers, particularly in regional NSW, as it would put personal information at risk by allowing unions to access internal workplace systems including emails, personal data, HR and payroll platforms, rostering tools, customer databases, financial records including online banking and other operational systems.
“Small businesses, particularly those in regional New South Wales, play a vital role in our communities. They sponsor community events, sporting clubs and charities. They are the primary employer in country towns,” Mr Moylan said.
“This Bill forces small businesses to hand over sensitive private information and puts further pressure on them when expenses and regulations are already out of control. We already have systems in place in New South Wales to adequately protect staff from unsafe working environments and unscrupulous rostering requirements.
“Employers value their staff, work with them, and take workplace safety seriously, especially in the bush. Most small businesses in the bush are family-run organisations and employ a handful of very cherished employees.
“This is a union power grab dressed up as safety reform and it is not needed. Major business groups have already expressed their opposition to the Bill, sending a clear message to the government that they have got this wrong.”
MEDIA: Electorate Office 6772 5552
Photo caption: Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan spoke on the Work Health and Safety Amendment (Digital Work Systems) Bill 2025.