Industry Newsletter

Election Comment
While Ai Group has a practice of not commenting in detail on policies as they are announced during election campaigns, we made a number of general observations on key issues in recent days.

Company Tax - "Ai Group is on the record as arguing hard for the adoption of the Henry Review recommendation to cut the company tax rate to 25% and for this to be part of pre-election commitments. We're very pleased to see there is now a contest in this area and that both parties are focusing on cutting the rate."

Workplace Relations -"There are areas in the Fair Work Act where it has been demonstrably shown that amendments are required.

"While we are not seeking wholesale changes, the next government will need to keep an open mind to amending the Act in a number of areas including:

• Addressing the impact of the announced Superannuation Guarantee increases by implementing a systematic wage trade off within the Fair Work Act;
• Restoring the 'character of the business' test in the transfer of business laws; and
• Implementing a mandatory flexibility term for enterprise agreements to prevent unions blocking meaningful individual flexibility arrangements."

Climate Change - "We are looking for a position that's responsible, that protects the competitiveness of Australian industry and, in the absence of a more comprehensive policy, action that doesn't put unduly prescriptive regulatory burdens on industry."

Comments from Heather Ridout - Ai Group Chief Executive

Get in early
What do the Governor of the Reserve Bank, the CEO of McDonald's and a Professor of Economics from Peking University have in common? They are each among the confirmed speakers for Ai Group's premier annual event, the National Forum and Annual National Dinner, to be held on October 24-25 in Canberra.

Entitled What's Next - New Thinking, New Directions, this year's Forum will be a forward-looking discussion on the future directions for business and the economy in a post-election environment. Pending the election outcome, we look forward to the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader confirming their participation in the Dinner and Forum.

The program has been further developed and a full up-to-date list of speakers is available on the Forum website. The early bird rate has been extended to August 6, so there is still time to take advantage of this offer.

For more information, register online or download a registration form.

In the news

• Ai Group welcomes appointment of Queensland Gas Commissioner
• Comment on climate change policy announcement

TAPPING IN TO TECHNOLOGY
Technology is integral to innovation and productivity across manufacturing and services-based industries. Tell us your views on how government can work through the complex issues facing the ICT and Technology Industry and its pervasive nature into all areas of business.

To have your say: Contact Bill Petreski, Principal Adviser - Technology Industry.

If you missed Ai Group's Employment 2010 - Latest Developments Conference last month, there are a limited number of conference papers available to members for purchase. 

The Conference covered the latest developments in each area of employment in a concise and practical way with an emphasis on what employers need to know and do, including new compliance obligations. The following topics are included: 

• Enterprise agreements and bargaining 
• Termination of employment and redundancy 
• Transitioning to Modern Awards 
• Managing leave and public holidays 
• Employment contracts and policies 
• Discrimination, harassment and bullying 
• Labour resources in a growing economy 
• Union claims and strategies 
• Union right of entry and general protections 
• Secret ballots and industrial action

Download an order form to purchase a copy of the conference papers. But don't delay - only a limited number are available.

The Ai Group Defence Council, in collaboration with the Industry Capability Network (ICN), is conducting a briefing on the Government’s new Defence Industry Policy Statement.
 
Speakers, including a number of Prime Defence Contractor Chief Executives, will explore: 

• How to improve Australian Industry participation in Defence procurement activities; 
• Creating an effective and active long-term partnership between Defence and industry; 
• Importance of skills in the Australian defence industry to equip and support the ADF and the link between industry capability and skills development (for example, SADI - the Skilling Australia Defence Industry program); 
• Details on new funding of $44.9 million for the Priority Industry Capability Innovation Program to assist companies generate innovation across key sectors of Australia's defence industry; and 
• Government guidance on investment priorities for the Australian defence industry, for greater investment certainty.

Briefings will be held in Sydney (August 3), Adelaide (August 5), and Perth (August 10). See the Ai Group website for further details, or register now to ensure your attendance.

Ai Group members are invited to attend a free briefing for the On-hire/Recruitment sector. 

The briefing will include updates relating to: 

• The first year of the Fair Work Act 2009; 
• Ai Group 2010 election policy, with focus on transfer-of-business issues for outsourcing and insourcing arrangements; 
• Whether labour hire clauses can be permitted matters for enterprise agreements; and 
• A recent decision of Fair Work Australia about promises made by a recruitment company to a prospective employee.

A Modern awards implementation plan will also be featured in light of the commencement of the wages component as of July 1. 

The briefings will be held in Melbourne (August 6) and Sydney (August 11). Click here for more information, or to register.