New Fair Work President Adam Hatcher has been promoted from the role of Vice President, a position he has held since 2013.

Before joining the Commission, Mr Hatcher was as an industrial barrister, assisting union members in different industries. He worked with PSA members in countless matters; from unfair dismissals, to improving access to workers’ compensation for fire-fighting members in Forestry and National Parks, to sector-wide salaries claims, test cases against casualisation and historical pay-equity cases.

He led the first pay-equity case in Australia; the PSA case for librarians in 2002. This landmark decision recognised the pay difference for librarians was due to the gender split of the occupation. The decision established principles for which future pay-equity claims could be brought.

Nicole Jess, PSA President said, “ Many women have benefited from Adam’s advocacy for pay equity. The original principles in the librarian pay-equity case have been followed in the PSA’s pay-equity case for school support staff.

“It is a really wise decision by the Federal Government to appoint Adam as President when they have just legislated to enable the Fair Work Commission to undertake more equal remuneration work and requiring it to consider gender-based pay equity when making decisions.”

Stewart Little, General Secretary and a former Public Sector Librarian said, “Adam’s presence was always felt when he entered the room. He is an extremely intelligent and considered advocate. His appointment to the highest position in the Fair Work Commission should see an increase in maturity and activity in its undertakings to support the new industrial relations landscape the Albanese Government is introducing.”