Ai Group comment on ill-conceived ACTU/COSBOA casual employment proposal

"We understand that today the ACTU and COSBOA announced some proposed amendments to the casual employment provisions in the Government's IR Bill," Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the national employer association Ai Group said today.

"The amendments would be very damaging for small and large businesses, because:

• The clear definition in the Bill would be replaced by a vague definition that would simply reinforce all the uncertainty that the amendments are designed to redress; and
• 'Double-dipping' claims by employees who have been engaged and paid as casuals would be given a green light to proceed.

"The cost risks for employers of 'double dipping claims' are up to $39 billion.

"There is nothing in this proposal that is in any way in the interests of employers or employment. What businesses need now is certainty in order to save jobs and encourage investment, not the cementing-in of the current uncertainties as this proposal would do.

"This ill-conceived proposal needs to be roundly rejected by the Senate," Mr Willox said.

Media enquiries: Tony Melville – 0419 190 347